Depression Treatment Methods
Patients suffering from depression can avail a range of treatment options. These include psychotherapy, alternative treatments and medication.
Psychotherapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists people to identify and correct their negative thinking patterns. Other options include dialectical behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, which are specifically designed for depression that is resistant to treatment.
Medication
Medications are the most important treatment for depression and the first treatment that most people try. They are particularly effective in moderate or severe depression, or when there is a chance of suicide. The medication can relieve symptoms quickly and can also prevent relapses.
Antidepressant medication can be used to treat depression. The most commonly used antidepressant is fluoxetine (Prozac). It is taken orally in tablet form and has been used for a long time. Sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram, and other newer drugs could be more effective and have less side effects.
For severe depression, talk therapy is often combined with medication. Psychotherapy helps you understand your depression and to teach you how to cope with it. It can be done by yourself with a health professional, or with other patients in groups. Two types of talk therapy that have been proven to aid in improving the quality of life are cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.
Meditation, exercise and light therapy are other options for treating depression. A light box that mimics bright sunlight is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is also used to treat chronic depression in bipolar disorder sufferers.
To enhance the effects, your doctor may also prescribe a drug to treat another mental or physical condition in conjunction with an antidepressant. This is called an augmentation. It could involve the use of mood stabilizers, antianxiety or antipsychotic drugs or even thyroid hormone.
If your depression is mild, your GP might suggest waiting a short time to see if your symptoms will go away on their own. This is known as "watchful waiting". It is essential to stay in contact with your GP and schedule regular appointments for them to monitor your improvement.
Certain people suffering from depression may also benefit from other therapies like reflexology, in which pressure is applied to specific points on the body, or energy healing. Some patients experience relief through meditation or yoga. Some people find relief through chanting or praying. If you suffer from depression severe or thoughts of self-harm, it is crucial to seek treatment as soon as you can.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy can help people discover the reasons behind their depression and discover new ways to cope with their symptoms. It can be used in conjunction with medications or on its own. It is crucial to begin treatment when you begin to notice symptoms, and to keep track of your sessions.
There are several types of psychotherapy, and each one works better for certain circumstances or clinical circumstances. Group therapy is a mixture of two or more individuals and you, while family therapy teaches loved ones how to assist you. Therapists who specialize in particular areas like relationships or trauma from childhood. They can offer you specialized treatment.
Psychotherapy encompasses psychotherapy that is based on interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help you learn how to manage depression and can help you change your behaviour patterns that aren't helpful. Cognitive therapy focuses primarily on changing pessimistic thinking and unhelpful assessments that can lead to depression. cost-effective depression treatment is a short-term therapy that is designed to address issues in relationships that are closely associated with your depression.
Getting the right type of treatment for you could take some patience and time but it's worth it in the long run. It is also important to have a supportive system to help you stay to your treatment. Speak to trusted family members or friends, join a depression support group or visit reputable self-help websites and books.
It is essential to see an expert if you suffer from serious medical condition, like an injury or illness. This will help determine if your depression is caused by a physical issue. If you have an illness that is serious like an injury or illness, it's important to see a doctor and determine if there's an actual cause for your depression. Medicine can be a powerful treatment for depression, and combining it with psychotherapy will aid in your recovery faster. Remember that any treatment for depression will require time. There are also highs and lows throughout the process. If you stick to your plan, you'll be able to beat depression.
Light therapy
Sitting in front of an illuminated box or a special lamp that emits bright light is referred to as light therapy. It's a very popular treatment for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It mimics natural daylight and can boost the mood and energy levels. Light therapy has also been shown to help with sleep issues which are usually linked to depression. It's believed that light therapy works by changing circadian rhythms and increasing serotonin in the brain. It is possible that light therapy has an effect positive on other hormones, like the hormone melatonin that is released when you sleep.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that SAD be treated in the same way as other types depression. This can include talking therapies like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), antidepressants and light therapy. It is best to begin at the beginning of winter before symptoms begin and continue until spring.
Recent research on the use of light treatment in the treatment of SAD found that most patients who used the therapy achieved remission based on strict criteria. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - SAD version, a well-known measure of symptoms, showed a decrease. The study also showed that the treatment was safe and well-tolerated.
It is important to remember that while light therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for SAD, it can't be relied on alone. It's still essential to see a doctor and follow their advice. It's important to stay active, eat a balanced diet and get enough rest to reduce stress.
In addition to light therapy, antidepressants have been proven to be effective in the treatment of SAD. The most frequently prescribed antidepressant for SAD is selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs). They can boost your mood within a couple of weeks. Some side effects include dry mouth, diarrhoea or nausea, as well as constipation. However, these symptoms usually disappear quickly.
Some people may feel that light therapy doesn't improve their symptoms or they have uncomfortable side effects like eye strain, headache, agitation or skin irritation. These side effects can be minimized by adjusting the duration of treatment, time of day, or the medication used.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Taking prescription medication is a typical treatment option for depression, but it's not the best choice for all. If a medication isn't working or has unacceptably adverse side-effects, it might be time to consider an alternative or complementary therapy. These therapies focus on your physical and spiritual health and can relieve depression symptoms such as anxiety and chronic pain.
Acupuncture: This involves placing needles in different points of your body, including the ears, hands or feet. It can reduce a number of symptoms, such as insomnia, depression, anxiety and depression. It has been proven to be as effective as antidepressants but without the negative side negative effects.
Mindfulness meditation: This kind of therapy focuses on learning how to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can help you feel more in control of your emotions. You can do it on your own or work with a trained therapist.
Yoga: This form of exercise can reduce depression and stress. It improves breathing and gives you a an overall feeling of wellbeing.
Massage: Touch can be soothing and deep-tissue massages are a great way to aid in relieving muscle tension as well as depression and anxiety. Aromatherapy Inhaling essential oils can to lift depression.
Energy healing is a combination of techniques such as yoga, reiki, and tai chi. These techniques are based on the idea that illness is by blockages in energy.
Exercise: Swimming, walking or any other form of movement has been proven to help combat depression. Recent research found that 150 minutes of moderate exercise decreased symptoms associated with depression.
Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new therapy that relies on repeated exposure to a distressing memory to help the brain process it. It has been demonstrated that EMDR is very effective in treating PTSD. However it is still a matter of research to establish its effectiveness for depression.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has examined the evidence for a number of CAM treatments for depression, such as bright light therapy and acupuncture. However the reviews were brief and some were skewed by limitations, for example, a limited number of included trials and small sample sizes. The Royal College of Psychiatrists does not recommend any CAM therapy for depression.