NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT METHODS FOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Issues of Rehabilitation Orthopaedics Neurophysiology and Sport Promotion – IRONS November 26, 2025 Zofia Maria Kiestrzyn, Mart Kubik, Aleksandra Kałużna et al.
Depression affects about 5% of adults worldwide and can severely harm quality of life and physical health if untreated. While antidepressants are the standard treatment, many patients do not respond to them, and drugs can cause side effects. Non-pharmacological methods are increasingly accepted in Western medicine and can complement drug therapy. This review covers both newer holistic approaches—such as exercise, dietary changes, psychedelics, and mindfulness—and established techniques like psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and deep brain stimulation. The aim is to present alternative treatments for depression and explore how they can improve quality of life and well-being.