Best Treatment For Depression
The best treatment for depression is based on the nature and severity of symptoms. It is often a combination of treatments that help people feel better, which includes psychotherapy and medication.
Certain types of therapy include group, couples or family therapy. Other treatments include light therapy, ketamine injections or adding another medication to an antidepressant. It could take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks for certain medications to take effect.
1. Medication
If you're depressed, taking a medication that changes how your brain utilizes chemicals can boost your mood. Antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin), citalopram(Celexa), fluoxetine(Prozac) or venlafaxine(Effexor) can help. Some people may have to test several different antidepressants until they locate one that works. It could take up to 8 weeks or more to get results.
You may be referred to psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior treatment to help you transform your negative thoughts and actions. Talk therapy can assist with problems in your life and stressors that can cause depression. These may include issues with relationships as well as family or work issues, or other stressors. If your counselor recommends it, you can undergo interpersonal psychotherapy or a type psychotherapy called rTMS. This involves placing an insulated coil on your scalp to produce small magnetic waves that alter the brain's activity. Ketamine is an anesthetic that can provide relief to some sufferers of severe depression.
It's important to tell your doctor about any other medicines you're taking, which includes herbal supplements and prescription drugs. Certain medications may hinder your antidepressant's effectiveness or cause it to be more effective. Your doctor will also look into any physical issues, such as a thyroid disease or back pain that is chronic, which may cause or exacerbate depression.
If you're having suicidal thoughts Your doctor may want to discuss suicide prevention. Treatment for depression can also include other approaches, such as the acupuncture method, which is a particular kind of light therapy known as photobiomodulation, and certain nutritional supplements (such as St. John's wort). Talk to your doctor to determine which of these techniques could help.
2. Therapy
The most effective treatment is to combine medication and therapy. Talk therapy is known as psychotherapy or counseling, and is a type of treatment that helps you to understand your emotions and thoughts and how to alter them. It can also help you develop more positive relationships and manage issues in your life. You may feel uncomfortable discussing your emotions with a therapist but it's an essential aspect of therapy.
Research suggests that talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships can reduce depression symptoms as well than antidepressant medications. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a form of therapy that focuses on issues of relationships that can lead to depression. Participate in all sessions and stick to your therapy plan. If side effects or drug costs are a concern, inform your therapist know so she can work out alternatives.
Doctors may also recommend other treatments that can be incorporated with antidepressants, or talk therapy. These include lithium deep brain stimulation (DBS), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS is a non-invasive method that uses magnetic coils to influence the activity of the brain in certain areas that influence mood. DBS involves putting a tiny device inside your brain to deliver electrical impulses. Lithium, which is responsible for helping to balance the chemical levels in the brain, can be used for treatment-resistant depression.
It takes time to get better from depression, and you will have ups and downs during the recovery process. Don't make any significant changes to your life until you feel better. Don't move to a different place or change your job until you're at a point where you are. Join a depression support group and build a network of family and friends.
3. Exercise
A depressive episode can sap your energy levels, making it hard to get out of bed and get moving. Exercise is among the most effective ways to combat depression. Even a few minutes can make a huge difference. Research shows that specific types of exercise--including aerobics, yoga and strength training--significantly ease depression symptoms by releasing feel-good hormones in the brain.
For treating depression, moderate-intensity exercise is recommended, which is you do a workout that will get your heart rate up, but doesn't leave you exhausted. Cycling, swimming and walking are great examples. Even a brisk stroll can boost your mood. However, personalized depression treatment is important to consult your doctor prior to beginning any new exercise.
Sleep well. It can improve your mood and help you to be more resistant to stress. Sleep for seven to nine hours every night. The way you sleep can make depression worse. Sleeping enough can help beat the blues by reducing irritability and fatigue, as well as feelings of despair, sadness and fatigue.
Depression can be lonely, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness. Spend time with your family and friends who can support you. It is also important to build an emotional support network at work or within the community, and join an organization for depression support.
If you suffer from depression Antidepressants are an essential treatment option. But they're not the sole method to treat depression and some studies have shown that regular exercise improves the effectiveness of these drugs. Together, these two therapies are like a double-whammy against depression-related symptoms. Adding yoga and other methods of self-care like stress reduction methods and healthy eating can help you to boost your recovery efforts.
4. Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Depression can be a drain on the body and incorporating healthy lifestyle changes to in reducing or easing the symptoms of depression. It may include exercises like yoga, acupuncture or mindfulness meditation. It's also important to get enough rest and reduce stress since these can both exacerbate depression.
Dietary changes can also aid in battling depression. It is essential to eat a balanced diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits and whole grains (in unprocessed form) and seeds, nuts and lean proteins. Avoid processed foods, sugars, and animal fats. But, a little treat here and there is acceptable.
Exercise is also a great mood enhancer. It is essential to discuss with patients how much physical activity they're currently engaged in and ways to increase this, for example by recommending the NHS "Couch to 5K" app or providing details of the local community activities. Exercise can also improve sleep and reduce stress, all of which are positive factors in helping to reduce depression.
Some complementary and alternative treatments for depression include herbal and vitamin supplements, like St. John's wort and SAMe, but these should only be taken with the advice of a medical professional. Dialectical behavior therapy is a type cognitive therapy that can be helpful for people with depression resistant to treatment and those who are contemplating suicide or self-injury.
Although it's tempting to avoid or delay seeking treatment for depression, it's 100% treatable. Talk to your doctor about the options available to you including therapy, medication to healthy lifestyle changes and self-help coping tips. You'll feel better faster and understand how to prevent depression from recurring in the future by using these treatments together.
5. Self-Help Coping Tips for Coping
Depression can lead to many issues. It can cause you to be angry, irritable, or make you feel unimportant and hopeless. It may even cause you experience physical pain. It is possible to improve your symptoms and there are many effective treatments available for depression.
The best treatments for depression is talk therapy (psychotherapy), medication, healthy lifestyle changes, and self-help coping strategies. These include developing positive coping strategies, such as identifying negative thoughts that cause depression and replacing them with more positive ones. Relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation or deep breathing could also help to lessen the negative effects of depression.
If you're considering seeking treatment for depression, start by speaking to your general practitioner or getting an appointment with a mental health professional. The doctor or therapist will ask you about your symptoms, how long they have been present and how they impact your daily routine. The doctor will then perform an examination of your body and conduct tests on the lab to confirm that your depression isn't caused by a medical condition such as thyroid problems.
Other options for treating depression include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a method that involves the use of electrical currents sent through your brain to affect mood. ECT is usually used for people who don't get better with antidepressants or who are at risk of suicide. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is an alternative option. A coil placed on your scalp transmits magnetic pulses to the brain nerve cells involved in depression. They aren't as effective as antidepressants but can provide some relief to people who do not respond to medication. In certain cases, you may be offered counselling, which is a type of psychotherapy which can be conducted in person, via phone or the internet. The NHS offers counselling for depression. It's likely to last from 8 to 16 sessions spread across several months.
