Medical treatment can be very successful. Some studies report that 70% of those adequately treated with antidepressants recover completely.
One of the keys to successful treatment is finding the right medication for the type of depression an individual has. It is also important to select an antidepressant that helps relieve symptoms of comorbid disorders, such as anxiety, insomnia, etc. After a medication has been chosen, careful monitoring of side effects and symptom improvement will help find the most effective dose for each individual. This takes patience and team effort between the doctor and patient.