Effective Depression Treatment Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment? natural remedies for depression for depression differs from one person to another. Talk to your health care professional about the best treatment for you. You might need to try several antidepressants before you find one that is effective. It is possible to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants or with a medication that addresses other physical or mental ailments, such as an anxiety medication, a mood stabilizer or thyroid hormone. Medication For people suffering from mild to moderate depression, medication is often an effective depression treatment. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that are involved in mood. They can also help reduce the frequency of depressive episodes. It's important that you follow the exact dosage prescribed by your doctor. They won't work if you don't. In general, doctors recommend starting with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like citalopram (Celexa) or escitalopram (Lexapro), the fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). These medications have been proven to be more effective than placebo in numerous clinical studies. These drugs could cause serious negative side effects. It is important to talk with your physician prior to starting or stopping any of these drugs. You may have to try various antidepressants until you discover the one that works best for you. It is also possible to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants or other treatments. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) may be a possibility for people suffering from a severe form of depression or a life-threatening illness. The procedure utilizes electrical impulses that cause controlled seizures in the brain. It can rapidly relieve depression and is most beneficial for patients who haven't responded to other treatments. The findings of a recent study suggest that a specific type of ECT called high-frequency ECT (HFECT) could be as good as or better than conventional ECT in treating refractory depression. Researchers compared HFECT to conventional ECT in 23 patients who had who had a history of depression that was resistant to treatment. All patients had tried other treatment options for depression like psychotherapy or physical exercise. The study found that HFECT significantly improved the symptoms of depression and produced less side effects than ECT. Light therapy is another option for treating seasonal affective disorder. This is done by sitting in a bright spot every morning for around 30 minutes. A lamp or light box is available for use at home. Some health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs, and churches provide light therapy. Exercise, healthy eating and sufficient sleep are all essential. It's also important to stay clear of alcohol and recreational drugs because they can exacerbate depression. Psychotherapy Depression can sap your energy levels, making it difficult to manage the daily chores. However, the positive side is that if you seek help the chances of recovery are very high. Depressed people can get relief with a combination of professional therapy and medication. Therapists are trained to listen without judgement of them, and can help you discover your struggles and emotions in a safe and supportive environment. They can also assist you to build coping skills and increase your self-awareness, which can help you improve your mental health. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy for depression, including cognitive therapy, which helps you recognize negative or problematic thinking patterns and learn healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you change bad habits of behavior by helping you build effective problem-solving abilities as well as manage stress and improve interpersonal relationships. Other therapies, like the dialectical behavior therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy are frequently used to address the root causes that can cause depression, like self-injury and suicidal phobias. Psychotherapy is also a useful option for those suffering from chronic depression that hasn't been able to be treated with medication or for those who cannot use antidepressants because of health reasons or allergies. In certain instances doctors may suggest alternative or complementary therapies for depression. This may include transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS) A method that uses a coil placed on the scalp to transmit magnetic pulses which impact the neurotransmitters' functions. In addition to helping people find confidence and enjoyment in their lives, psychotherapy can assist family members or friends suffering from the effects of depression on their loved family members. Therapy for marital or family members is sometimes recommended for those who live with a person who is struggling with depression. It can help reduce stress and tension between family members and equip them with the tools they need to help their loved ones in a healthy manner. Additionally, a trained therapist can guide them on how to assist their loved ones overcome depression. Exercise Exercise is an inexpensive and safe way to treat depression and anxiety. It improves energy levels, reduces anxiety, and helps improve the flexibility and balance. It can also improve sleep and boost your self-esteem. Before beginning a new exercise regimen or increasing the intensity, you should consult your physician. In large-scale studies, men and women who exercise suffer from depression at a lower rate than those who are sedentary. It's a bit more difficult to determine whether exercise can treat existing depression. You have to examine it as you would any other medication by randomly assigning patients with depression to exercise or a control group and scrupulously tracking the outcomes. The largest study of physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it is effective, at the very least, as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study gathered data from 41 studies involving 265 participants. The study found that almost all kinds of exercise can reduce symptoms of depression. However certain types of exercise are more effective than others. The most efficient exercises were jogging or walking yoga, strength training and yoga. The benefits increased as intensity of the exercise increased, indicating that even mild exercise can be beneficial. Researchers believe there are many reasons why exercise helps with depression. Exercise can increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Another is that it increases certain chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin. Other factors may include the social connection that is a result of group exercise, and the psychological motivation that motivates you to keep exercising. People tend to stop or limit their activities when they are depressed, but doctors recommend returning to those activities as soon as you can. Doing them regularly can help restore pleasure and enjoyment which is crucial to beat depression. Being involved in activities that you enjoy can give life meaning and purpose. If you are unsure what to do, you can try a local gym or a group fitness class. Consult your physician if you have a disability or injury. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has a guide to exercise and depression and Beyond Blue offers a template to help you plan your exercise. Alternative or complementary therapy Mental health issues can be treated using a variety of alternative therapies or 'natural'. They include herbal remedies and massage. These treatments aren't tested in a scientific manner and may cause adverse effects. These treatments can also interact with other medicines. People should only use these treatments under the supervision of a therapist or doctor. Cancer Council does not recommend these therapies because there is little research done on their effectiveness. Certain therapies have been marketed as “cancer cures” but they are not proven and could cause discomfort or harm to certain people, especially when they attempt to replace medical treatments. The most effective treatment for depression generally involves both psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is a broad term to discuss your concerns with a trained professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Some types of psychological treatment are more specific to depression than others, but most will help you understand your condition and discover new ways to deal with it. These include: CBT aims to change negative thinking patterns and pessimistic assessments that can make depression worse. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that concentrates on your relationships and how you interact. Family and couples therapy can aid in improving communication in your relationships. A variety of different forms of therapy are available in the form of online sessions and computer programs. These sessions are generally cheaper than in-person sessions, and could be beneficial for some people. Some aren't appropriate for all, and a few aren't covered by insurance. Ask your therapist if they have experience with these types of programs and ask them to recommend a program that could be suitable for you. In a discussion with you health care provider, your doctor will review the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements, to see how they affect your depression. They will also look at your physical health to determine if you have any conditions that may be related to depression. For example, thyroid disease or chronic back pain. They will also look to determine if there is another mental condition that could be contributing to depression, such as personality disorders or bipolar disorder.