Severe depression is when a person is experiencing long-lasting and profound depressive symptoms that don’t ease over time. If you’re living with severe depression, it can feel overwhelming and hopeless without supportive treatment. 

What does severe depression look like? 

Many forms of depression share the same core symptoms. What sets them apart is the severity and impact of those symptoms — ranging from mild to moderate to severe. Let’s look at a list of common depressive symptoms: 

• Anhedonia, the clinical term for losing the ability to feel pleasure from once enjoyable activities 

• Social withdrawal 

• Lack of motivation 

• Sleeping too much, or not at all 

• Brain fog, or trouble concentrating 

• Prolonged feelings of emptiness 

• Profound feelings of worthlessness 
• Thoughts of suicide 

Let’s look at a fictional example. Marcus used to love playing the guitar every day, letting the music capture his emotions. Now, Marcus’ guitar stays locked in his closet; he doesn’t seem to use it much anymore. Marcus sends most of his friends and family members’ calls to voicemail. He knows they wouldn’t understand anyway. He believes he is broken, beyond repair. This feeling of emptiness inside of him has lasted for months now. Marcus is willing to try treatment, but leaving the house feels like too much recently. 

How medication is used in virtual intensive care for severe depression

 Virtual treatment for severe depression offers significant benefits. It provides a safe space to receive support and care from the comfort of your home, and can offer a break from the demands of daily life. These programs can provide much-needed support by giving you convenient access to kind and caring mental health experts. 

Treatments for severe depression typically include the use of medications. At Reklame Health, we provide psychiatric medication management to treat severe depression. Members will meet with psychiatric nurse practitioners who are able to assess needs, prescribe medications and adjust dosage as needed. 

If you are currently in a crisis and are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone you love, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

4 options for treating severe depression 

Many types of medications are available to treat severe cases of depression. Each medication works differently, and people may respond better to one treatment than another. Below is an overview of several medication options that may be considered for treating severe depression. 

• First-generation antidepressants

This group of antidepressants represents some of the earliest medications developed to treat depression, dating back to the 1950s. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are two types of first-generation antidepressants. They prescribed less frequently today because they carry higher risk of adverse side effects and drug interactions compared to second-generation antidepressants.

• Second-generation antidepressants

Second-generation antidepressants are often the first type of medication prescribed for people with depression. This group was developed after the first generation of antidepressants, around the 1970s. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are two well-known second-generation antidepressants. 

• Atypical antidepressants

This group of antidepressants is called “atypical” because they work differently than traditional antidepressants. Bupropion — better known by its brand name, Wellbutrin — is one of the most commonly used atypical antidepressants. 

• Augmentation treatments

While not a type of medication, augmentation involves adding a secondary medication in combination with an existing antidepressant for people with more persistent or severe forms of depression. For example, lithium is a mood stabilizer, and not traditionally an antidepressant. Mood stabilizers might be prescribed with a first- or second-generation antidepressant in an attempt to reduce the severity and persistence of certain depressive symptoms. 

At ReKlame, we provide virtual psychiatric and medication management services for people with depression. Our team is understanding, supportive and empathetic, and we take a culturally competent approach to modern treatments to help break the stigma around mental health care. Give our care team a call today for more information, check your eligibility for free online or book an initial appointment online.