Comparison to Other Depression Therapies

COMPARISON TABLE OF DEPRESSION THERAPIES
PHARMACOTHERAPY
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY (ECT)
VAGUS NERVE STIMULATOR (VNS)

Pharmacotherapy:

• The treatment of diseases through the use of medication, such as antidepressants
  
• Medication for depression, or pharmacotherapy, usually requires a 5 to 6 week timeframe. This allows for observation in order to find out if the antidepressant medication is appropriate, i.e. if it is working and does not have unwanted side effects on a patient. After this, it usually takes another 6 months or more of continued use of the medication to ensure that it remains effective.
• Up to two-thirds of depressed patients receiving pharmacotherapy experience some form of improvement.
• Many patients also experience undesired side effects from these medications which may include headaches, light-headedness, weakness, and sexual dysfunction.

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