There are several treatments that can be used as alternatives to antidepressants for treating depression and other mental health conditions. 

Talking therapies

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that is increasingly being used in the treatment of depression. Most experts recommend that people with moderate to severe depression are treated with a combination of CBT and antidepressants.

But if you are unable or unwilling to take antidepressants then you have the option of receiving CBT as a sole treatment.

CBT helps you understand your thoughts and behaviour and how they affect you. It helps you recognise that events in your past may have shaped you, but it concentrates mostly on how you can change the way you think, feel and behave in the present. It also teaches you how to overcome negative thoughts.

CBT is usually available on the NHS, although the waiting lists are usually long. You normally have a short course of sessions, usually six to eight sessions, over 10-12 weeks on a one-to-one basis with a therapist trained in CBT. In some cases, you may be offered group CBT.

Online CBT

Computerised CBT is a form of CBT that works through a computer screen, rather than face-to-face with a therapist.

These therapies can be prescribed by your GP or a mental health specialist and are carried out with their advice and support.

Ask your GP for more information or read more about self-help therapies.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT)

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on your relationships with other people and on problems you may be having in your relationships, such as difficulties with communication or coping with bereavement.

A course of IPT is usually structured in the same way as a course of CBT.

There's some evidence that IPT can be as effective as antidepressants or CBT, but more research is needed.

Counselling

Counselling is a form of therapy that helps you think about the problems you are experiencing in your life to find new ways of dealing with them. Counsellors support you in finding solutions to problems, but do not tell you what to do.

Counselling on the NHS usually consists of 6-12 sessions lasting an hour each. You talk in confidence to a counsellor. The counsellor supports you and offers practical advice.

Counselling is ideal for people who are healthy but need help coping with a current crisis, such as anger, relationship issues, bereavement, redundancy, infertility or the onset of a serious illness.

Exercise

Research suggests that regular exercise may be a more effective treatment for mild depression than antidepressants.

Exercise helps boost levels of chemicals called serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which can lift your mood.

Exercising on a regular basis can boost self-esteem and confidence which can also help relieve symptoms of depression.

Your GP may refer you to a qualified fitness trainer for an exercise scheme or you can read about starting exercise.

Read more about exercise for depression.

Self-help groups

Talking through your feelings can be helpful. You can either talk to a friend or relative, or you can ask your GP to suggest a local self-help group. There are also a number of chat rooms on the internet that offer support.

Read more about depression support groups.

Lithium

If you've tried several different antidepressants and had no improvement, your doctor may offer you a type of medication called lithium, in addition to your current treatment.

There are two types of lithium – lithium carbonate and lithium citrate. Both are usually effective, but if you are taking one that works for you, it's best not to change.

If the level of lithium in your blood becomes too high, it can become toxic. So, you'll need blood tests every three months to check your lithium levels while you're taking it.

You'll also need to avoid eating a low-salt diet because this can also cause the lithium to become toxic. Ask your GP for advice about your diet.

Side effects of lithium include:

• dry mouth
• a metallic taste in your mouth
• some mild shaking of your hands
• diarrhoea

These side effects usually pass with time once your body gets used to the medication.

Electric shock treatment

Sometimes a treatment called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be recommended if you have severe depression and other treatments haven't worked as it can be highly effective.

During ECT, you'll first be given an anaesthetic and medication to relax your muscles. Then you'll receive an electric current to your brain through electrodes placed on your head.

You may be given a series of ECT sessions. It is usually given twice a week for 3-6 weeks.

It's not exactly clear how ECT works, but recent studies suggest it may help reduce connections in an area of the brain linked to depression.

For most people, ECT is good for relieving severe depression, but the beneficial effect tends to wear off after several months. Some people get unpleasant side effects, including short-term headaches, memory problems, nausea and muscle aches. However, these risks need to be balanced against the risks of other treatments and the effects of not treating depression.