What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?
The best treatment for depression varies from person to person. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for you.
It is possible to test various antidepressants until you find one that helps. You might need to mix psychotherapy and antidepressants or with a medication that treats other physical or mental ailments like an anxiety medication, a thyroid hormone or mood stabilizer.
Medication
Medication is a successful treatment for moderate to mild depression. Antidepressants affect the levels of certain brain chemicals that are involved in mood. They can also reduce the frequency of depression symptoms. depression treatment recommendations www.iampsychiatry.com is essential to take these medications exactly as recommended by your physician. If you don't, they won't be effective.
In general, doctors recommend starting with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like citalopram (Celexa) or escitalopram (Lexapro) or the fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). These drugs have been shown to be more effective than placebo in numerous clinical trials. These drugs could cause serious side effects. It's important to consult your doctor prior to taking or stopping any of these medications.
You may have to try several antidepressants before discover one that is suitable for you. It is also possible to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) may be a viable option for patients suffering from a severe form of depression or a serious condition. The procedure utilizes electric impulses to trigger controlled seizures in the brain. It is effective in treating depression quickly and is recommended for patients who have not responded to other treatments.
The results of a recent study suggest that a particular form of ECT called high-frequency ECT may be as effective or more effective than conventional ECT in treating refractory depression disorders. The researchers compared HFECT with standard ECT in 23 patients with a history of treatment-resistant depression. They had all tried a variety of other treatment options for depression like exercise and psychotherapy. Researchers found that HFECT dramatically reduced depression symptoms and had less adverse effects than ECT.
Other treatment options include light therapy, which is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This involves sitting in a bright spot each day for 30 minutes. A lamp or light box is available for use at home. Certain health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches offer light therapy. Exercise, healthy eating and enough sleep are recommended. Additionally, it's crucial to avoid the use of alcohol and recreational drugs since they can cause depression and make it harder to receive treatment.
Psychotherapy
Depression can drain your energy, making it hard to take care of the daily chores. But the good news is that if you seek treatment the chances of recovery are very high. A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can provide relief for those suffering from depression.
Therapists are trained to listen without judgment you, and help you explore your emotions and challenges in a supportive environment. They also teach you how to cope and help you recognize your own self-awareness to promote mental health.
There are many different kinds of psychotherapy for depression, including cognitive therapy which helps you identify negative or distorted thinking patterns and develop healthy strategies to cope with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you improve your interpersonal relationships, discover how to manage stress and develop skills for problem solving. Other therapies, such as the dialectical behavior therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy are often employed to address the underlying issues that can cause depression, like self-injury behavior and persistent suicidal phobias.
Psychotherapy can be a helpful option for people suffering from recurring depression who have not had a response to medication or are not able to take antidepressants due to health reasons or allergies. In certain instances, a doctor may recommend an alternative or complementary therapy for depression. This could include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) A method which uses a coil on the scalp to send magnetic pulses that alter the neurotransmitters' function.
In addition to helping people regain a sense of control and joy in their lives, psychotherapy can assist family members or friends who are experiencing the effects of depression on their loved ones. Therapy for marital or family members is often recommended to those who live with a person who is struggling with depression. It can reduce tension and stress among family members, and offer them the ways to support their loved family members in a healthy way. Additionally, a trained counselor can show them how to help their loved one overcome depression.
Exercise
Exercise is a cost-effective and safe method to treat depression and anxiety. It improves the level of chemicals in the brain, improves balance and flexibility boosts energy and decreases stress. It may also help with sleep and increase self-esteem. It is essential to talk to your GP before beginning any new exercise or stepping up your workout.
In large-scale studies, both men and women who are active suffer from depression at a lower rate than those who are sedentary. But it's trickier to test whether exercise can treat existing depression. It is important to research it like you would any other medicine. Randomly assigning people with depression either to exercise or a control group, and then tracking their development.
The most comprehensive study on physical activity as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it is effective at least as effectively as standard medication and psychotherapy. The study gathered data from 41 studies involving 2,265 people. The study revealed that almost all kinds of exercise can help reduce depression symptoms. However, some are more efficient than others. Walking or jogging was the most effective type of exercise followed by yoga and strength training. The benefits increased as intensity of the exercise increased, which suggests that even light exercise can be beneficial.
Researchers believe there are multiple reasons why exercise relieves depression. Exercise helps to increase the flow of blood and oxygen into the brain. It also increases certain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. Other reasons include the social benefits of exercises in groups and the psychological motivation that keeps people exercising.
If someone is depressed, they typically stop or limit their activities. Doctors recommend that you try to resume your activities as soon as you are able to. Engaging in them can help restore satisfaction and pleasure which is crucial in beating depression. Being involved in activities you enjoy can provide you with meaning and significance.
If you're not sure what to do, you can go to the local gym or group fitness class. If you suffer from an injury or physical disability, talk to your doctor regarding the best exercise options. Black Dog Institute offers interactive resources and a guide on depression and exercise. Beyond Blue also has an outline of how to plan your activity.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Many alternative or 'natural' therapies are utilized to treat mental health problems. They can include herbal remedies, massage and acupuncture. These therapies aren't scientifically tested and can have negative side effects. These treatments can also interact with other medications. Patients should only take these treatments under the supervision of a doctor or therapist.
Cancer Council does not recommend these therapies because there is little research done on their effectiveness. Some have been marketed as "cancer cures" but they are not proven and could cause harm or distress to some people, particularly when they are attempting to replace medical treatments.
The most effective treatment for depression typically includes both psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe talking about your feelings and thoughts with trained professionals such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Some types of psychological treatment are more specific to depression than others, but most will help you understand your condition and learn new ways to cope. These include:
CBT is designed to alter negative thinking patterns and negative assessments that can make depression worse. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on your relationships and how you interact. Therapy for couples and families can aid in improving communication in your relationships.
There are many different types of therapy, including sessions with computers and online. These sessions are usually less expensive than in-person sessions and may be beneficial for some people. Some aren't appropriate for all, and a few aren't covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experiences with these programs and whether one is right for you.
During your conversation with your doctor the doctor will review all the medications you use, including herbal supplements and prescription medications to determine how they impact your depression. They will also assess your physical health to determine whether you have any health issues that are sometimes associated with depression. For example thyroid disease or chronic back pain. They will also determine whether you have another mental disorder that may be contributing to depression, such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders.