“Psychotherapy can have high up-front costs,” says Dr. Smoski, “but there are some studies showing it can be cost effective, compared to medication, in the long run.” Therapy sessions can range from $100 to $200, depending on insurance coverage. On average, adults attend anywhere from 8 to 28 sessions.
The effectiveness of talk therapy can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the condition. But some research suggests people see an improvement after about 13 sessions.
Prescription Medications
Antidepressants, which are also used to manage mild-to-moderate MDD, come with a cost, although research shows a decline in recent years — from about $31.6 billion in 2010 to $20.4 billion in 2018. This is largely due to the availability of generic medications. Seeing a primary care provider, as opposed to a specialist (such as a psychiatrist), can also help keep costs down, says Smoski.
The caveat: “Only about half of people who try a first-line medication have a positive response to it, and costs can go up if more specialized care is required,” says Smoski. Also, even if your insurance covers the medication and many of the doctor’s visits, you may still be responsible for a copay, which should be the same price you would pay for a regular doctor’s visit, says Lokesh Shahani, MD, PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist with UTHealth Houston.
Hospital Stays
Other MDD expenses include inpatient hospital stays, such as at a psychiatric hospital, and any treatment they may do there. The costs for all of these treatments can depend on whether you have health insurance, what your deductible is, and how extensive your coverage is.
Indirect Costs
There are also the “hidden” costs of MDD, which often go unacknowledged. This is especially true when it comes to a loss of workplace productivity: About 70 percent of these costs are attributable to presenteeism — where you’re physically present at work but not functioning well — while the other 30 percent is attributed to absenteeism. “One of the big symptoms of depression is poor focus and concentration, and that can have a direct impact on your work,” says Dr. Shahani. “You might not be promoted, or if you’re not meeting your employment goals, you might be at risk of losing your job.”
Then there are the potential costs of neglecting your daily responsibilities, including doing chores and paying bills.
