What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?
The best treatment for depression varies from person to person. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.
It is possible to test a variety of antidepressants until discover the one that is effective for you. You might need to mix 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 with
mild depression treatment to moderate depression, medication is usually an effective depression treatment. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They also help reduce the frequency of symptoms of depression. It's important that you adhere to the exact instructions prescribed by your doctor. They won't be effective if you don't.
In general, doctors suggest beginning with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), the escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). These drugs have been shown to be more efficient than placebo in a variety of clinical studies. They can cause serious adverse effects, so it's very important to talk with your doctor before you start or stop taking any of these medications.
You may have to try various antidepressants until you discover the one that is most effective for you. It is also possible to combine antidepressants and psychotherapy or other
ketamine treatment for Depression. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) may be a possibility for people who have severe depression or a life-threatening illness. This procedure uses electric impulses to induce controlled seizures in the brain. It is effective in treating depression quickly and is recommended for patients who have not had success with other treatments.
The results of an investigation that was conducted recently suggest that a type of ECT called high-frequency ECT could be as effective or better than standard ECT for treating depressive disorders. Researchers compared HFECT to standard ECT in 23 patients who had a history of treatment-resistant depression. All patients had tried other depression treatments like psychotherapy or physical exercise. The study found that HFECT significantly reduced symptoms of depression and produced fewer side effects than ECT.
Other treatment options include light therapy that is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is done by sitting in a bright, bright light every day for about 30 minutes. You can use the light box or lamp at your home. Some health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches offer light therapy. Exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep are all suggested. In addition, it's important to avoid the use of alcohol and recreational drugs since they can worsen depression and make it harder to receive treatment.
Psychotherapy
Depression can drain your energy levels, making it difficult to manage the daily chores. But the good news is that if you seek treatment the chances of recovery are good. Depression sufferers can get relief with the combination of therapy by a professional and medication.
In therapy, therapists listen without judgement to help you explore your feelings and issues in a safe and supportive environment. They can also assist you to build coping skills and increase your self-awareness, which will promote mental well-being.
There are a variety of psychotherapy that are available to treat depression. Cognitive therapy is a type that helps you identify negative thinking patterns and create healthy strategies to handle difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy helps you improve your interpersonal relationships, discover how to manage stress and develop ability to solve problems. Other therapies such as acceptance-commitment and dialectical behavior therapy are often used to treat the underlying issues which contribute to depression, including self-injury and chronic suicidal thinking.
Psychotherapy can be a useful option for people suffering from recurring depression, who haven't been able to respond to medications or are unable to take antidepressants for health reasons or allergies. In certain cases, a psychiatrist may recommend an alternative or complementary treatment for depression, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses a treatment coil that is placed on the scalp to send short magnetic pulses that impact the functioning and effects of neurotransmitters within the brain.
In addition to helping people regain the sense of control and pleasure in life psychotherapy can also help family members or friends experiencing the effects of depression on their loved ones. Therapy for marital or family members is often recommended for those who live with someone who is struggling with
private depression treatment. It can help reduce stress and tension between family members and equip them with tools to support their loved ones in a healthy manner. In addition, a qualified therapist can teach them ways to help their loved one overcome depression.
Exercise
Exercise is an inexpensive and safe way to treat anxiety and depression. It increases energy, reduces stress, and enhances the flexibility and balance. It can also aid in sleeping and boost self-esteem. Before beginning a new exercise regimen or increasing the intensity, it's essential to consult your physician.
In large-scale epidemiological studies, active men and women develop depression at a lower rate than sedentary people. It's difficult to determine if exercise can treat depression that already exists. You have to study it like any medicine by randomly assigning patients with
depression treatment no medication to exercise or a group that is a control and carefully keeping track of the results.
The largest study of physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it works, at a minimum, as well as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study gathered information from 41 trials that involved 2,265 people. It found that almost any kind of exercise can help reduce depression symptoms, but some forms are more efficient than others. The most efficient exercises included jogging or walking as well as yoga and strength training. The benefits grew as the intensity of the exercise increased, which suggests that even mild exercise can be beneficial.
Researchers suspect that there are a variety of reasons that exercise helps with depression. One is that it helps by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Another is that it increases certain chemicals, including serotonin and dopamine. Other reasons include the social support provided by group exercise and the psychological motivation that keeps people exercising.
People often cut back or restrict their activities when they are depressed, but doctors suggest taking steps to resume these activities as soon as you can. Engaging in them can bring back pleasure and enjoyment which is crucial to beating depression. And doing things that you enjoy can provide you with an identity and purpose.
If you are unsure what to do, you can try the local gym or group fitness class. Talk to your doctor for advice if you have a handicap or injury. Black Dog Institute offers interactive tools and a guide to exercise and depression. Beyond Blue also has an outline of how to plan your activity.
Alternative or complementary therapies
A variety of alternative or "natural" therapies are used to treat mental health problems. These include herbal treatments such as massage and acupuncture. These therapies aren't scientifically tested and can have negative side consequences. They can also interfere with other medications, which is why people should only use them with the approval of their doctor or therapist.
Cancer Council does not recommend these therapies because there is limited research conducted on their effectiveness. Some have been marketed as "cancer cures" but they're not established. They could cause harm or distress to certain individuals, particularly if trying to replace medical treatments.
The most effective depression treatment usually includes medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a broad term for discussing your concerns with a trained professional such as psychologist or psychiatrist. Certain types of psychological therapy are more specific to depression than others, however all will aid you in understanding your situation and develop new strategies to manage your depression. These include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seeks to alter negative evaluations and thought patterns that make depression worse. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that is focused on your relationships and how you interact with them. Therapy for couples and families can help you improve communication in your relationships.
There are many different types of therapy, such as sessions on the internet and computer programs. These sessions are typically cheaper than in-person sessions and may be beneficial for some people. However, not all are suitable for everyone and many are not covered by your insurance. Ask your therapist about their experience with such programs and if one might be right for you.
When you have a conversation with your the doctor, they will review the medicines you take, such as herbal supplements and prescription drugs, to see how they affect your depression. They will also check whether you suffer from any physical conditions that can sometimes be linked to depression, such as thyroid disease or chronic pain. They will also determine if another mental health issue, such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders, might be the cause of your depression.
