What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?
The best treatment for depression differs from one person to another. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment for you.
You may need to try a few antidepressants until you find the one that works for you. It is possible to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants, or with a medication to treat another physical or mental condition like an anxiety drug, thyroid hormone or mood stabilizer.
Medication
For people suffering from mild to moderate depression, medication is usually an effective treatment for depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They also decrease the frequency of symptoms of depression. It's important that you follow the exact dosage prescribed by your doctor. If you don't, they won't work.
Doctors suggest beginning with a selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, escitalopram or citalopram paroxetine, sertraline Zoloft, or vilazodone. In many clinical trials, these medications were found to be more effective than placebo. They can have serious adverse effects, so it is essential to speak with your doctor prior to when you start or stop taking one of these medications.
You may need to try several antidepressants before discover one that is suitable for you. You may also have to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. For some patients with severe or life-threatening types of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a possibility. This procedure uses electric impulses to induce controlled seizures in the brain. It is able to quickly relieve depression and is especially beneficial for patients who haven't had success with other treatments.
The findings of a recent study suggest that a particular type of ECT known as high-frequency ECT (HFECT) could be as good as or even better than conventional ECT in treating depression that is refractory. The researchers compared HFECT with conventional ECT in 23 patients with who had a history of depression that was resistant to treatment. They had tried a variety of other treatment options for depression, including therapy and exercise. The researchers found that HFECT significantly improved the symptoms of depression and produced less adverse effects than ECT.
Light therapy is another alternative to treat seasonal affective disorder. This involves sitting in front of the bright light for approximately 30 minutes every day. You can opt for a light box or lamp at home. You can also obtain light therapy through some health insurance plans, employee assistance programs and churches. Exercise, healthy eating and enough sleep are advised. In addition, it's important to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because they can cause depression and make it difficult to receive treatment.
Psychotherapy
Depression can drain your energy and make it difficult to complete the everyday tasks. However, the positive side is that if you seek help your chances of recovery are very high. People suffering from depression can get relief with the combination of professional therapy and medication.
In therapy, therapists listen without judgement to assist you in exploring your feelings and challenges in a safe and supportive environment. They also teach you coping skills and encourage self-awareness that can promote mental well-being.
There are a variety of types of psychotherapy for depression, including cognitive therapy, which helps you recognize negative or problematic thinking patterns and discover healthy ways to manage difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can change negative patterns of behavior by helping you build effective problem-solving skills reduce stress and improve interpersonal relationships. Other therapies, such as dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, are frequently used to address the root causes that contribute to depression, like self-injury and suicidal thoughts.
Psychotherapy is a beneficial tool for those suffering from chronic depression, who haven't had a response to medication or are not able to take antidepressants because of health reasons or allergies. In certain cases a psychiatrist might recommend an alternative or complementary therapy for depression, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses a treatment coil that is placed on the scalp to send brief magnetic pulses that alter the functioning and effects of neurotransmitters within the brain.
Psychotherapy can assist family members and friends suffering from depression to cope with the condition. Therapy for marital or family members is often recommended to those who are living with a person who is suffering from depression. It can ease stress and tension between family members and provide the family members with tools to help their loved one in a healthy manner. In addition, a trained counselor can show them how to help their loved one overcome depression.
Exercise
Exercise is a secure and inexpensive alternative to other treatments for anxiety and depression. It alters the levels of chemicals in the brain it improves balance and flexibility boosts energy and decreases stress. It can also improve your sleep and boost your self-esteem. It's important to check with your GP before beginning any new exercise or ramping up your workout.
In large-scale epidemiological studies active women and men develop depression at lower rates than those who are sedentary. It's difficult to determine whether exercise can help treat depression that already exists. You must study it just like any other medicine. Randomly assigning patients suffering from depression either to exercise or a control group, and then observing their development.
The largest study on physical activity as a depression treatment to date suggests that it works at least as well as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study pooled data from 41 studies involving 2,265 people. The study concluded that nearly all types of exercise could help reduce depression symptoms. However some are more effective than others. Jogging or walking is the most effective form of exercise, followed by yoga and strength training. The benefits increased as the intensity of the exercise increased, suggesting that even moderate exercise can be beneficial.
Researchers suspect that there are many reasons why exercise can help with depression. Exercise increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. It also increases certain chemicals like dopamine and seratonin. Other factors include the social support provided by group exercise as well as the psychological motivation that keeps people working out.
If someone is depressed, they often stop or reduce their activities. Doctors recommend that you try to resume your activities as soon as you are able to. Practicing them can help restore satisfaction and pleasure which is crucial to beating depression. Engaging in activities you love can give your life meaning and meaning.
If you're unsure where to start, try your local gym or group fitness class. Consult your physician in case you suffer from a disability or injury. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has a guide for depression and exercise as well as Beyond Blue offers a template to help you plan your activities.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Many alternative or "natural" therapies are utilized to treat mental health issues. These include herbal remedies and massage. These treatments are not scientifically tested, and they can cause adverse side negative effects. They may also interfere with other medications, so users should only use them with the approval of their physician or therapist.
Cancer Council does not recommend these therapies because there is little research done on their effectiveness. Some have been marketed as "cancer cures" but they're not tested. They may cause distress or harm to some individuals, particularly if trying to replace medical treatments.
The most effective treatment for depression generally involves both psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe speaking about your feelings and thoughts with trained professionals such as psychiatrist or psychologist. Certain types of psychological therapy are more specific to depression than others, but all will aid you in understanding your condition and discover new ways to deal with it. These include:
CBT aims to change negative thinking patterns and negative assessments that can make depression worse. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships is a kind of psychotherapy that focuses on your relationships and how you interact with them. Therapy for couples and families can aid in improving communication in your relationships.
A variety of different forms of therapy are available that include computer programs and online sessions. depression treatment approaches are often cheaper than face-toface sessions and could be beneficial for certain people. However, not all of them are suitable for everyone and many are not covered by insurance. Ask your therapist whether they have experience with these kinds of programs and request a recommendation that could be suitable for you.
During a conversation with you, your healthcare provider will go over the medications you take, including herbal supplements and prescription drugs to determine if they are impacting your depression. They will also examine your physical health to determine whether you suffer from any medical conditions that may be related to depression. For example, thyroid disease or chronic back pain. They will also check if there is another mental illness that could be contributing to depression, such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders.