Depression

Overview

Mayo Clinic psychiatrists and psychologists have extensive experience and expertise in treating mild to serious depression and mood disorders complicated by other medical problems. A team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and other medical staff members collaborate to provide compassionate care for patients of all ages with depression, in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

The Mood Clinic and Mood Disorders Unit at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota bring together treatment specialists to facilitate care of patients with depression.

Mayo Clinic researchers are working to develop better antidepressant drug treatments and to identify the right drug for each patient based on his or her genes. Mayo Clinic in Minnesota psychiatrists and laboratory medicine specialists developed a blood test (cytochrome P450) to pinpoint genetic factors that play a role in a person's response to many antidepressant medications.

Diagnosis

An initial evaluation with a physician involves discussing symptoms, overall health and personal concerns. Questionnaires and psychological tests are used to identify specific symptoms. A medical assessment is performed to determine if the patient is experiencing a physical illness in addition to depression. Learn more about depression diagnosis.

Treatment Options

At Mayo Clinic, a team of medical professionals works with each patient to set treatment goals, develop a customized treatment plan and monitor progress. Many patients with depression show significant improvement when taking carefully selected antidepressants. Psychotherapy helps identify and modify negative thought and behavior patterns. Electroconvulsive therapy can be effective for severe and prolonged depression that does not improve with other treatments. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is new treatment option for depression. Learn more about depression treatment.

• Treatment in Minnesota

About Depression

Depression is a serious illness that causes changes in mood, thinking, physical well-being and behavior. It can affect all aspects of a person's life. Depression is caused by a complex set of physical, psychological and environmental factors. Sometimes, a stressful life event can trigger depression. In other cases, depression seems to occur spontaneously with no identifiable cause. No matter what triggers it, depression is much more than grieving or a bout of the blues.

Depression may occur only once in a person's life. Often, however, it occurs repeatedly with depression-free periods in between. It also may be an ongoing condition, requiring treatment over a lifetime. Depression affects more than 18 million Americans. With proper treatment, most people with serious depression improve, often within weeks, and can return to normal, daily activities.

Read more about depression at www.MayoClinic.com.