Recognizing depression involves identifying persistent symptoms such as a deeply low mood, loss of pleasure in activities, significant changes in weight or sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide, which must last for at least two weeks and impair daily functioning. The primary treatment options are psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and a variety of antidepressant medications, often used in combination for the best effect. It is important to clarify that there are no standard "surgeries" for depression in the conventional sense; however, for severe, treatment-resistant depression, procedural interventions like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) or newer neuromodulation techniques like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)—which are non-invasive and sometimes called "surgical" in a broad sense—can be highly effective. The cost implications are substantial, encompassing therapy sessions, medication, and potentially intensive outpatient or inpatient hospital programs, making access to care a significant challenge that depends heavily on insurance coverage and location.