When Does Depression Warrant Medication?

Depression is among the most common mental health disorders in the United States. Some 51 million Americans, that’s 19.1% of the population, were treated for depression in the first quarter of 2026, alone. 

Even though depression is pervasive, individual's experiences differ and so does their treatment.

At Monumental Health Partners, with offices in Tampa and Weston, Florida, our medical team provides personalized psychiatric care for most mental health conditions, including depression.

Here’s what our experts want you to know about your treatment options.

Finding help for depression

Depending on your symptoms and their severity, there are several treatment approaches for depression. Two of the most effective are psychotherapy and medication.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, focuses on talking about your condition, which can offer:

• Healthier ways to cope and solve problems
• Strategies for managing difficulties
• Support identifying issues or behaviors that worsen your symptoms
• Perspective on relationships, experiences, and stressful situations

About one in seven adults in the U.S. received therapy in the past 12 months from a mental health professional.

Medication

Not everyone finds relief from depression through talk therapy alone. Medication can offer life-changing results for many. Between 11% and 14% of all U.S. adults take prescription medication specifically for depression or mental health at any given time.

They work extremely well; 40%-60% of people taking antidepressants for moderate to severe depression see improvements in their symptoms within 6-8 weeks. 

However, there are multiple types of antidepressants, so sometimes it can take a little trial and error to find the most effective one.

Getting started

After diagnosing your condition, we outline the most effective treatment strategy to address your symptoms and manage your mood disorder.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant, and often the first treatment providers choose for many mental health conditions. They manage symptoms with milder side effects than other options.

Serotonin is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) in the brain that helps regulate your mood, sleep, and emotions. SSRIs block the brain from reabsorbing serotonin. Keeping serotonin active in the gap between cells longer, improves communication between brain regions that control mood.

Don’t ignore depression

Whether your depression requires medication,  therapy, or both, the most important thing is to seek professional help. Depression can make you feel hopeless but it is highly treatable. The team at Monumental Health Partners are here to help. Contact us for a consultation today.