A new and different class of drug is Effexor. It’s similar to the SSRIs in that it keeps mood balancing chemicals in the body’s system longer. A third class is Wellbutrin. “It’s the same drug as Zyban, which is prescribed to help people stop smoking,” Guthrie said. It affects mood and movement.

“Initially, prescribing medication is a bit hit or miss,” Guthrie said. “We know they all work. By knowing each drug’s side effects, we can narrow it down. And by knowing what other prescription drugs without a prescription a patient is taking, we can narrow it down a little more. Then after we see how you do, we can tailor it even further.

“But remember, it usually takes a couple of weeks for the drugs to fully enter your system,” she said. “And it may take that long before you to notice a change or an improvement. Some say these medications wake them up, while others say they narrow their mood swings.”

Other treatment includes psychotherapy or talk therapy, which may be effective in treating mild to moderate depression, Stotland said.

This involves talking with a trained mental health professional to help learn better ways of handling problems. Work is generally done over a short-term course with a specific number of sessions, Stotland said. For example, in cognitive/behavioral therapy patients work at changing the negative behaviors and styles of thought that may contribute to their depression. “This focuses on the here and now, which we have the power to change,” she said.

Interpersonal therapy focuses on learning to deal more effectively with other people and working to change relationships that can cause depression or make it worse.

“For many people, a combination of both medication and psychotherapy is best,” Stotland said. “Depression is a serious illness — so take it seriously. It’s a disease that must be treated. If you feel guilty or hopeless, remember it’s all part of the disease. Get help — and don’t give up. Keep going to someone until they make you better.

“By nature, women are loathe to take care of themselves,” Stotland added. “So tell yourself you’re doing it for your family — your husband, your children, your mother, your sister — then do it.”

First, if the medication is only to be used for a brief time, ask your doctor if he can give you samples of the drug. Pharmaceutical salespeople sometimes leave samples with doctors, who will usually give them to you if you ask for them. You may need to ask about availability, as your doctor might not think to offer the samples.

If you will be taking a specific medication for an extended time and have a prescription insurance plan, make sure you understand exactly what your plan will cover. Your health insurance plan will keep a formulary, which is a list of certain medications that they prefer. Drugs on the list are usually less expensive than drugs that don’t appear on the list. If the medication your doctor prescribes does not appear on the formulary, ask for comparable medication that is on the list.

It is wise to use generic medications whenever you can. If you have to pay for your medications yourself, you can really save a great deal of money this way. If you use generic medications, you may have a lower co-pay from your prescription plan. Your doctor can help you determine whether a generic medication will work as well for you as a brand-name drug.

Mail-order programs are another option offered by many prescription drug programs. This can be an inexpensive and convenient way to obtain your medications. A 90-day supply frequently costs almost the same amount of money as a 30-day supply.

It isn’t always cheaper to use your insurance at your local pharmacy. Sometimes the insurance co-pay might be higher than the medication’s actual cost; in this case, your pharmacist can process the prescription without your insurance.

Many grocery stores or mass merchandisers print prescription coupons in their weekly circulars that can save you money. A new or transferred prescription may earn you a $10 or even $25 gift certificate to their store. Transferring a prescription usually entails a phone call to the new drugstore so that they can obtain the necessary information.

If you are still struggling to pay for your prescriptions, talk to your doctor about programs for low-income patients offered by the pharmaceutical industry. You can obtain the necessary paperwork at your physician’s office.