Depression Treatment Methods
Patients suffering from
depression treatment options can avail a range of treatment methods. These include psychotherapies, alternative treatments and medication.
Psychotherapy encompasses cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help people identify and change distorted thinking patterns. Other options include dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, both of which are specifically designed for depression that is resistant to treatment.
Medication
The most common and effective treatment for depression is medication. They are particularly effective in cases of severe or moderate depression, or when there is a higher chance of suicide. Medication can relieve symptoms quickly and prevent the relapse of depression.
Antidepressant medications can be used to treat depression. The most common is fluoxetine (Prozac). It is taken orally in tablet form and has been used for a long time. However, more recent drugs like sertraline (Zoloft) and citalopram (Celexa) are more effective and less likely to cause negative side effects.
Talk therapy is usually combined with treatment for severe depression. Psychotherapy is designed to help you understand your depression and to teach you how to manage it. You can work on it by yourself with an expert or in a group setting with other patients. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy are two kinds of therapy that have been proven to be effective.
Meditation, exercise and light therapy are all other options for
treating depression. A light box that resembles bright sunlight is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is also used to treat chronic depressive disorder in people with bipolar disorders.
Your doctor may also prescribe medication that treats a physical or mental illness in conjunction with an antidepressant to enhance the effects. This is known as augmentation. This could include mood stabilizers, antianxiety drugs, thyroid hormone, or antipsychotics.
If your depression is not severe, your GP may recommend waiting a little while to see if the symptoms go away by themselves. This is sometimes called"watchful waiting. It's essential to stay in touch with your GP and have regular appointments so they can check your progress.
Certain people suffering from depression may also benefit from other treatments like reflexology, which involves pressure being applied to special 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're suffering from depression severe or thoughts of self-harm, it's crucial to seek treatment immediately.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy, sometimes referred to by the term psychotherapy can help people learn how to manage their symptoms and understand why they are depressed. It may be used alone or in conjunction with medication. It is crucial to begin treatment immediately after you start to feel symptoms, and be on top of your appointments.
There are several types of psychotherapy, and each one works better for certain situations or conditions. Group therapy is a mix of two or more people and you, whereas family therapy teaches loved ones how to assist you. Certain therapists specialize in certain areas such as relationships or trauma from childhood. They are able to offer specialized treatment.
Certain types of psychotherapy include cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy that is interpersonal. Behavioral therapy teaches you how to manage depression and can change your behaviour patterns that aren't helpful. Cognitive therapy focuses on reversing negative thoughts and negative assessments that can lead to depression. Interpersonal psychotherapy is short-term and seeks to fix problems in relationships that are most closely associated with your depression.
Getting the right type of therapy for you might take some time and patience but it's well worth it in the long run. It's also crucial to have a supportive system to help you stay to your treatment. Talk to your trusted family members or friends and joining a
residential depression treatment uk support group, or reading reliable self-help books and websites.
It is essential to see an expert if you suffer from a serious condition such as an injury or illness. This will allow you to determine if your depression is caused by a physical problem. If you're suffering from a serious medical issue, such as an illness or injury, it's important to see your doctor to determine if there is a physical cause for your
antenatal depression treatment. Combining psychotherapy with medication is an an effective way to treat depression. Be aware that all treatments for depression can take time. You may also experience highs and lows throughout the process. If you adhere to your plan, you'll be able to beat depression.
Light therapy
The act of sitting in front of an artificial light box or lamp that emits bright sunshine is known as light therapy. It's a very popular treatment for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It works by mimicking natural daylight and can boost energy levels and mood. It's also been proven to aid in reducing sleep problems that are often associated with
depression treatment without antidepressants. Light therapy is believed to be effective by altering the circadian rhythms in the brain and increasing serotonin. It is possible that light therapy has an impact on other hormones, like melatonin which is released when you are asleep.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that SAD is treated in the same way as other depression types. This can include talking treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and light therapy, and antidepressants. It is most effective when it is started at the beginning of winter before symptoms begin to manifest and continues until spring.
Recent research on the use of light treatment in the treatment of SAD found that most patients who received the treatment were able to achieve remission following strict criteria. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - SAD version, a well-known measure of symptoms, showed a decrease. The study concluded that the treatment is safe and well-tolerated.
Keep in mind that light therapy is not a cure-all for SAD. You should still consult a doctor for advice. It's also essential to stay active, eat healthy meals and sleep enough and to lessen stress.
In addition to light treatment, antidepressants also have been proven to be effective in the treatment of SAD. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant for SAD is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs). They can improve your mood in a matter of weeks. They can have negative effects, including dry mouth nausea, diarrhoea, nausea or constipation, but these usually go away quickly.
Some people are disappointed when light therapy does not improve their symptoms, or they experience uncomfortable side-effects, like eye strain, headaches or agitation. Other side effects include irritation of the skin. They can be minimized by adjusting the duration of treatment, time of day or the product used.
Alternative or complementary therapy
Prescription medications are among the most commonly used treatments for depression. However, it may not be suitable for all people. If a medication isn't effective or causes unacceptably adverse side effects, it could be time to try 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 is the practice of inserting needles into various body parts, like your ears, hands, or feet. It can alleviate many symptoms like insomnia, anxiety and depression. It has been proven to work as well as antidepressants, however it does not have the same adverse effects.
Mindfulness meditation: This type of therapy focuses on learning how to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgement that will allow you
best drug To treat anxiety and depression feel more in control of your emotions. It can be performed on your own or in conjunction with a trained therapist.
Yoga: This type of exercise can reduce depression and stress. It also improves your breathing and gives you a the feeling of being well-being.
Massage is a soothing experience, and deep-tissue massages can help with muscle tightness depression, anxiety and tension. Aromatherapy: Inhaling the scent of essential oils can ease a depressed mood.
Energy healing: This includes techniques such as reiki, tai chi and yoga. They are based on the notion that illnesses are caused by energy blockages.
Exercise: Swimming, walking, or any other type of movement can help treat depression. A recent study revealed that 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week reduced depression symptoms.
Eye movement desensitization and processing (EMDR) It is a relatively new treatment that uses repeated exposure to a distressing memory to assist the brain process it. It has been shown that EMDR is very effective for PTSD. However more research is needed to establish its effectiveness for depression.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has examined the evidence for several CAM treatments for depression, such as bright light therapy and acupuncture. However the reviews were brief and some of them were skewed by limitations, for example, a small number of trials included and small sample sizes. Consequently, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is not advocating any CAM therapies for depression.
