Best Treatment For Depression
The best treatment for depression depends on the severity and type of the symptoms. Most often, it's a combination treatments that help people feel better, which includes psychotherapy and medications.
Some types of therapy include group, couples or family therapy. Other therapies include light therapy, ketamine injections or adding another medication to an antidepressant. Certain medicines may take up to six weeks to work.
1. Medication
If you suffer from depression a medication which changes the way your brain uses chemicals can improve your mood. Antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), citalopram(Celexa), fluoxetine(Prozac) or venlafaxine(Effexor) can help. Some people may have to test a variety of antidepressants until they locate one that works. It may take up to 8 weeks or more before you notice results.
Your doctor could prescribe psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you overcome negative thoughts and behaviors. Talk therapy can help you deal with issues in life and stress that contribute to depression. These include relationship issues as well as family or work issues or other stressors. If your counselor recommends it, you can undergo interpersonal psychotherapy, or a type psychotherapy called rTMS. This involves putting an insulated coil over the scalp to produce short magnetic waves that alter the brain's activity. Ketamine is an anesthetic which can provide relief to some people with severe depression.
It is important to inform your doctor about any other medicines you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. Some may interfere with the effectiveness of your antidepressant or make it more difficult. Your doctor will also examine any physical health conditions, such as thyroid disease or chronic pain that can cause or exacerbate depression.
Your doctor will talk with you about suicide prevention options if you're having suicidal feelings. Treatment for depression may also include other methods, such as acupuncture, a special kind of light therapy known as photobiomodulation, and certain nutritional supplements (such as St. John's wort). Speak to your doctor to see if any of these methods may aid you.
2. Therapy
The most effective treatment is a combination between medication and therapy. Talk therapy is known as psychotherapy or counseling. It is a form of treatment that helps you understand your emotions and thoughts and how to change them. It can help you develop stronger relationships and address problems in your daily life. You may feel uncomfortable sharing your feelings with a therapist, but it's an essential part of the therapy process.
Research has shown that talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (
cbt treatment for depression) and interpersonal psychotherapy, can improve depression symptoms just as much than antidepressant medications. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a form of therapy that focuses on relationship issues that can contribute to depression. Make sure you stick to your treatment plan and attend all sessions. If side effects or drug costs are a problem, let your therapist know so that she can determine alternatives.
Doctors can also recommend other treatments to be combined with antidepressants or talk therapy. These include lithium, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS makes use of magnetic coils and is non-invasive to alter brain activity. DBS involves placing a small device inside your brain to send electrical impulses. Lithium is a treatment for depression that has not responded to treatment. It works by balancing the chemicals in the brain.
It takes time to get better from depression, and you may be prone to ups and downs in the process of recovery. Don't make big changes in your life until you're feeling better. For instance, don't relocate to a new city or change jobs until you're ready. It is also essential to create an emotional support network with family and friends, and join a depression support group.
3. Exercise
A depressive episode can sap your energy, making it hard to get out of bed and get up. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to combat depression. Even a short amount of time can make a significant difference. Research shows that specific types of exercise--including aerobics, yoga and strength training--significantly ease depression symptoms by releasing feel-good hormones in the brain.
For treating depression, moderate-intensity exercise is the best option, which means an exercise that gets your heart rate going but doesn't make you tired. Swimming, walking, and cycling are all good examples. Even a brisk stroll can improve your mood. However, you must consult your doctor prior to beginning any new physical activity.
In addition to exercise Get plenty of rest which can improve your mood and improve your resiliency to stress. You should sleep
ect for treatment resistant depression between 7 and 9 hours each night. Sleeping habits can cause depression to worsen. Sleeping enough can help beat the blues, by reducing fatigue and irritability, as well as feelings of hopelessness, sadness and fatigue.
psychotic depression treatment can be lonely and can lead to feelings of loneliness. Spend time with family and friends who can support you. It is also important to build a support network at work or in the community, and also join a depression support group.
Antidepressants can be an excellent option to treat depression. But they're not the sole option to ease symptoms and some studies have shown that regular exercise can boost the effectiveness of these meds. Together, these two therapies are like a double-whammy against depression symptoms. Yoga and other self-care methods such as eating well and managing stress can also aid in recovery.
4. Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Depression can have a devastating effect on one's body and the incorporating of healthy lifestyle changes into treatment helps in reducing or easing the symptoms of
depression and treatment. Yoga, acupuncture and mindfulness meditation are all feasible activities. Additionally, it is important to get enough sleep and reduce stress as both can worsen depression.
Dietary changes can also help fight depression. Eating a balanced diet is important. It should include vegetables and fruits as well as whole grain (in their unprocessed form), seeds, nuts and lean protein. Avoid processed foods,
treatments for depression sugars, and animal fats. However, a treat here and there is acceptable.
Exercise can also boost mood. It's important to discuss with patients the amount of physical activity they currently participate in and how they can improve this, for instance by suggesting the NHS 'Couch to 5K' app or describing local community events. Exercise can also improve sleep and reduce stress, all of which are beneficial factors in reducing depression.
Some alternative and complementary
treatments for depression include vitamin and herbal supplements, like St. John's wort and SAMe, however these should only be used under the advice of a health care professional. Dialectical behavior therapy is a kind of cognitive therapy that is beneficial for those suffering from depression who are not responding to treatment and who are contemplating suicide or self-injury.
It's tempting to put off or skip treatment for
depression treatment drugs. However, depression can be treated. Talk to your doctor about all of your options from therapy to medication to healthy lifestyle changes and self-help coping strategies. By using these treatments in conjunction you can get better faster and develop strategies to prevent depression from recurring in the future.
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