Antidepressants are drugs used to help people who suffer from depression. With the help of these antidepressant drugs, most people can achieve significant recovery from depression.

Antidepressant medications come with risks as well as benefits, and should only ever be taken under a doctor’s supervision. They are, however, one depression treatment option. Taking medications for depression is not a sign of personal weakness - and there is good evidence that they do help.

Whether antidepressant medication is the best treatment option depends on how severe the person's depression is, their history of illness, their age (psychological treatments are usually the first choice for children and adolescents), and their personal preferences. Most people do best with a combination of medication and therapy.