If you suffer from depression and you have not been able to find relief, you may have treatment resistant depression. While there isn't a specific definition as to the parameters surrounding treatment resistant depression, some professionals say it is trying two medications from different classes. Others state that depression is resistant to treatment after the person tries four different medications. Regardless of the definition, you have to ask yourself some basic questions to determine if treatment for your depression is effective for you.

Do you feel any better?

If you have tried a number of medications, yet you don't feel any better, your depression may be treatment resistant. If you have also tried talk therapy, exercise and alternative therapies such as acupuncture in addition to medications, and you still don't feel any better, it is likely that your depression is resistant to treatment.

Do you feel slightly better but not like your old self?

Successful treatment for depression should leave you feeling like your old self again. While the treatment may take some time, if you have been trying various medications for a number of months and you don't feel like your old self, your depression is proving difficult to treat. 

Are medication side effects causing you difficulty?

If you are having trouble with the side effects from anti-depressant medication, you may need to try something else. If the side effects aren't bothersome, then the relief from the depression is probably worth dealing with the issues brought on by taking medication. If you are finding that the medication is causing problems in your daily life, your depression is resistant to treatment and other options should be considered.

Getting the Help You Need for Treatment Resistant Depression

If this type of depression responds poorly to medications, and is difficult to treat, what types of treatments are there for treatment resistant depression?

It is always recommended that you work with a specialist if you are experiencing depression that is proving difficult to treat. If you have been seeing your primary care doctor for depression and medications aren't working, it's time to work with a psychiatrist who can better address your symptoms. A psychiatrist may change your medication, or add medication to your current ones in order to try and ease the symptoms of depression you are experiencing.

If your depression is not easing, your doctor may consider treatment with magnets, or low grade electrical shock treatments, all of which are done under careful supervision. To learn more about depression counseling, contact a company like The Genen Group.