Pay Attention: Watch Out For How Effective Depression Treatment Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It
What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment? The best treatment for depression varies from person to. Talk to your doctor about what may work for you. You may have to test a few antidepressants until you find one that you like. You might also have to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or a medication to treat a physical or mental disorder, such as an antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, anti-anxiety medication or thyroid hormone. Medication Medication is a very effective treatment for moderate to mild depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They also can help reduce the frequency of depressive episodes. It is essential to follow the exact dosage prescribed by your doctor. They won't work if don't. Doctors suggest starting with a selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine, escitalopram and citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, Zoloft or vilazodone. These medications have been proven to be more effective than placebo in numerous clinical trials. They can have serious side effects, so it's very important to talk with your doctor before you begin or stop taking any of these medications. I Am Psychiatry may have to test various antidepressants before you discover one that is suitable for you. You might also need to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) might be an option for some patients suffering from a severe form of depression or a life-threatening illness. The procedure utilizes electric impulses to cause controlled seizures in the brain. It is effective in treating depression fast and is recommended for patients who have not had success with other treatments. The results of a recent study suggest a particular form of ECT known as high-frequency ECT could be as effective or better than standard ECT for treating depressive disorders. Researchers compared HFECT to standard ECT on 23 patients with an history of treatment-resistant depression. All had tried a number of other treatments for depression such as psychotherapy and exercise. The study found that HFECT significantly improved the symptoms of depression and caused less adverse effects than ECT. Light therapy is another option for treating seasonal affective disorder. This involves sitting in a bright, bright light each day for 30 minutes. A light box or lamp is available for home use. You can also avail light therapy through some health insurance plans as well as employee assistance programs and churches. Healthy eating, exercise and adequate sleep are also recommended. It is also essential to stay away from drinking and taking recreational drugs because they can exacerbate depression. Psychotherapy Depression can sap your energy, making it difficult to take care of the tasks of daily living. The good news is, if you get help, your chances of recovering are very high. Depressed people are able to find relief using a combination of therapy with a professional and medication. In therapy, therapists listen without judgement to assist you in examining your feelings and challenges in a safe and supportive environment. They also teach you coping skills and encourage self-awareness, which can help improve your mental health. There are a variety of types of psychotherapy for depression. Cognitive therapy is a type that helps you identify negative thinking patterns and develop healthy strategies to handle difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can change unhealthy patterns of behavior by helping you build effective problem-solving skills manage stress and improve interpersonal relationships. Other treatments, such as acceptance-commitment and dialectical behavior therapy are commonly employed to address the root problems that contribute to depression such as self-injury and the recurring suicidal thought. Psychotherapy can be a useful tool for those suffering from chronic depression who have not had a response to medication or are not able to take antidepressants because of health reasons or allergies. In certain situations doctors might recommend an alternative or complementary therapy for depression. This may include transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS) A method which uses a coil on the scalp to send magnetic pulses that alter the neurotransmitters' function. Psychotherapy can aid family members and friends suffering from depression to cope with it. Therapy for marital or family members is sometimes recommended for those who live with someone who is suffering from depression. It can help reduce tension and stress between family members and offer them the tools to support their loved ones in a healthy and positive way. A qualified therapist is able to teach them how to help their loved ones overcome depression. Exercise Exercise is a secure and inexpensive supplement to other treatments for depression and anxiety. It improves the level of chemicals in the brain and improves flexibility and balance boosts energy and decreases stress. It can also improve sleep and boost self-esteem. Before beginning a new workout regimen or increasing the intensity, you should consult your physician. In large-scale research, men and women who exercise have depression at a lesser rate than those who are sedentary. However, it's more difficult to determine whether exercise can help treat depression that is already present. You have to look into it just like any other medicine by randomly assigning patients with depression to exercise or a control group, and carefully keeping track of what happens. The largest study on physical activity as a treatment option for depression to date suggests it is effective at least as effectively as standard medication and psychotherapy. The study gathered data from 41 trials that included 265 participants. The study revealed that almost all types of exercise could help reduce depression symptoms. However certain types of exercise are more effective than others. The most efficient exercises were jogging or walking as well as yoga and strength training. The benefits increased as the intensity of the exercise increased, suggesting that even light exercise can be beneficial. Researchers suspect that there are multiple reasons why exercise relieves depression. Exercise can increase blood flow and oxygen in the brain. It also increases certain chemicals like dopamine and seratonin. Other reasons include the social support that comes from group exercise and the psychological motivation that motivates people to exercise. People often stop or limit their activities when they're depressed, but doctors recommend taking steps to resume these activities as soon as you can. They can help you restore joy and satisfaction. This is vital in beating depression. And doing things that you enjoy can provide you with meaning and a sense of significance. If you're unsure where to begin, check out your local gym or group fitness class. Talk to your doctor for advice if you have a handicap or injury. Black Dog Institute offers interactive resources and a guide on exercise and depression. Beyond Blue also has a template for planning your activities. Alternative or complementary therapies Many alternative or “natural” therapies are used to treat mental health issues. These include herbal treatments and massage. These treatments are not studied scientifically and could cause adverse negative effects. They can also interfere with other medications, which is why people should only make use of them with the permission of their therapist or doctor. There is not much research on the effectiveness of these therapies and they are not recommended by the Cancer Council. Certain therapies have been advertised as “cancer cures” but they're not established. They could cause distress or harm to some people, especially if trying to replace medical treatments. The most effective depression treatment typically consists of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is a broad term for talking about your concerns with a trained professional, like psychologist or psychiatrist. Certain psychotherapy treatments are more suited for depression than others. However, they all aid in understanding the condition and come up with new ways to manage it. These include: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of changing negative evaluations and thought patterns that cause depression to worsen. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships focuses on the relationships you have in your life and how you interact with them. Family and couples therapy can help you improve communication within your relationships. A variety of different forms of therapy are available in the form of online sessions and computer programs. They're usually cheaper than face-toface sessions and might be helpful for some people. However, not all are suitable for everyone and many are not covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experiences with such programs and if they think it is suitable for you. When you speak to your doctor the doctor will review all the medicines you use, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines to determine how they affect your depression. They will also check whether you suffer from any physical issues that could be related to depression, such as thyroid disease or chronic pain. They will also consider if another mental health issue like bipolar disorder or personality disorders could be a cause of your depression.