Depression is a widespread emotional distress, manifested by low mood, hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, self-criticism, reduced interest in external activity. These manifestations of depression are accompanied by reduction in mental and motor activity, indifference to the environment, fatigue, decreased sexual desire, lack of appetite, constipation, insomnia (especially in the morning hours).

In some types of depression, insomnia and decreased appetite can be replaced, respectively, by sleepiness and excessive appetite. These physical manifestations are vegetative symptoms of depression and the basis of long-standing assumptions about its psychosomatic nature.

Depression is a curable disease. Assuming the correct choice of the drug and its dose, it is possible to completely get rid of all manifestations of depression.

Depression can be treated effectively with psychotherapy or drugs called antidepressants. Pharmacological agents are useful in the treatment of the biological component of the depressive disorder. Psychotherapy allows patients to understand some aspects of their lives, which may contribute to disease, and thus to cope with them.

The most effective psychotherapeutic techniques used for depression treatment include:

• Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy
• Psychoanalysis
• Gestalt therapy, humanistic approach, etc.
• Psychological counseling

Antidepressants can be divided into two major groups:

• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Sertraline

It is worth to mention that treatment with SSRI antidepressants does not lead to dependence development. The effect of the treatment usually occurs within 2-3 weeks, however, the well-being typically improves within a few days after starting the treatment. In order to achieve sustainable improvement in most cases the treatment should last at least 4-6 months.