Treatment for depression depends largely on the cause of depression and the extent to which a person is depressed. When the first signs of depression appear it should be taken into control and treatment or therapy of some sort should be started. Depression could be temporary because of a sudden incident or loss or could be chronic and related to a genetic disorder or major illness. If a person is going through a temporary bad phase and is depressed then mild therapy would help. Exercise, yoga, meditation, psychotherapy and mild anti depressants would help. However, if the cause of depression is a mental disorder like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder then more intense treatment is required.
A chemical imbalance in the brain is the cause of such chronic disorders and the treatment differs from that of ordinary depression. If the patient turns violent because of depression then hospitalization might be required. There are asylums for such patients where they are cared for and given the required treatment.
Treatment for depression should start with the initial signs of depression so that the condition of the patient does not worsen but is kept under control. Friends and relatives should recognize the signs of depression and advice the person to go in for treatment or help. Often the person may not agree to the fact that something is radically wrong with them, but they will have to be convinced to do so. Modern drugs can control any situation and it is best to get started during the early stages of any illness be it mental or physical.