What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?
The best treatment for depression varies from person to. Talk to your doctor about what may work for you.
You may have to test a variety of antidepressants until discover the one that works for you. You might need to mix psychotherapy and antidepressants or with a medication that addresses another physical or mental condition like an anti-anxiety drug, thyroid hormone or mood stabilizer.
Medication
Medication is an effective treatment for moderate to mild depression. Antidepressants work by changing the levels of certain brain chemicals that are involved in mood. They also help reduce the frequency of symptoms of depression. However, it's important to take these medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you don't, they won't be effective.
Doctors recommend beginning with a selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, escitalopram and citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, Zoloft or vilazodone. In many clinical trials, these medications were found to be more effective than placebo. These drugs could cause serious negative side effects. It's important to consult your physician prior to starting or stopping any of these drugs.
You may have to test several different antidepressants before you discover one that is suitable for you. You may also need to combine antidepressants and psychotherapy or other treatments. For some people with severe or life-threatening forms of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a viable option. The procedure utilizes electrical impulses to trigger controlled seizures in the head. It can quickly alleviate depression and is especially effective for people who haven't responded to other treatments.
The results of a new study suggest that a particular type of ECT called high-frequency ECT (HFECT) might be as effective or superior to conventional ECT in treating depression that is refractory. Researchers compared HFECT to standard ECT on 23 patients with a history of treatment resistant depression. They had all tried a variety of other treatments for depression, including therapy and exercise. Researchers discovered that HFECT significantly reduced depression symptoms and had less adverse effects than ECT.
Other options for
treatment depression include light therapy which is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This involves sitting in front of the bright light for approximately half an hour each day. A light box or lamp is available for home use. Some health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches offer light therapy. Exercise, healthy eating and enough sleep are advised. It is also important to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because they can exacerbate depression and make it difficult to receive treatment.
Psychotherapy
Depression can zap your energy levels, making it difficult to manage the tasks of daily living. The good news is, If you seek help, the chances of recovering are very high. A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can help depressed individuals.
Therapists are trained to listen without judgement of you and assist you to discover your struggles and emotions in a supportive environment. They also teach you coping skills and encourage self-awareness that can help improve your mental health.
There are several different types of psychotherapy for depression, including cognitive therapy which helps you identify thoughts that are negative or untrue and discover healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy helps you improve your interpersonal relationships, and learn how to manage stress and improve your ability to solve problems. Other therapies, such as the dialectical behavior therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy, are often employed to address the underlying issues that cause depression, like self-injury and suicidal thoughts.
Psychotherapy is also a valuable option for those suffering from persistent depression that has not responded to medications or for those who cannot take antidepressants due allergies or health reasons. 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 positioned against the scalp to send brief magnetic pulses that impact the function and effect of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Psychotherapy can aid family members and friends who are suffering from depression to cope with the condition. Therapy for marital or family members is often recommended for those who live with someone who is struggling with depression. It can help reduce tension and stress between family members and offer them the tools to help their loved ones in a healthy manner. A trained therapist can also teach them how to help their loved family members overcome
depression treatment nice.
Exercise
Exercise is a cost-effective and safe method to treat anxiety and
depression treatment free. It improves energy levels, reduces anxiety, and helps improve the flexibility and balance. It can also improve your
sleep deprivation treatment for depression and boost self-esteem. It's important to check with your GP before beginning anything new or ramping up your workout.
In large-scale research, men and women who are active have depression at a lesser rate than those who are sedentary. However, it's more difficult to determine whether exercise can treat depression. It is important to research it the same way as any other medicine. Randomly assigning patients suffering from depression to exercise or an uncontrolled group, and then tracking their improvement.
The largest study on physical exercise as a treatment for
depression treatment medications to date suggests that it is effective at the very least, as psychotherapy and standard medications. The study gathered data from 41 trials involving 2,265 people. It found that nearly every type of exercise can reduce depression symptoms,
treatment depression although certain types of exercise are more effective than others. The most efficient exercises were jogging or walking, yoga and strength training. The benefits increased as intensity of the exercise increased, indicating that even light exercise can be beneficial.
Researchers believe there are many reasons why exercise can help relieve depression. One is that it assists with blood flow and oxygen to the brain. It also increases certain chemical like dopamine and serumtonin. Other factors include the social support that comes with exercise in a group, and the psychological motivation to keep doing the exercise.
When people are depressed they often stop or reduce their activities. Doctors recommend that you attempt to resume your activities as soon as you are able to. Doing them regularly can help restore pleasure and enjoyment which is essential to beating depression. And doing things that you love can provide you with meaning and a sense of significance.
If you are unsure which direction to take, go to a local gym or a group fitness class. If you're suffering from an injury or physical disability ask your doctor about the best exercises. Black Dog Institute offers interactive guides and resources on exercise and depression. Beyond Blue also has an exercise plan template that can be used to plan your exercise routine.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Many alternative or "natural" therapies are used to treat mental health issues. These include herbal treatments and massage. These treatments aren't research-based and could cause negative side effects. These treatments may also interact with other drugs. Patients should only take these treatments with the approval of a therapist or doctor.
Cancer Council does not recommend these treatments due to very little research on their effectiveness.