10 Meetups About Effective Depression Treatment You Should Attend

What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best treatment for depression differs from person to person. Talk with your doctor about what might work for you.

You may need to test various antidepressants until you find one that helps. You might also have to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or a medication that is used to treat a physical or mental disorder like an antipsychotic mood stabilizer, anti-anxiety drug or thyroid hormone.

Medication

Medication is a successful treatment for moderate to mild depression. Antidepressants affect the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They also help reduce the frequency of symptoms of depression. But, it's crucial to take these medications as prescribed by your doctor. They won't work if you don't.

In general, doctors recommend starting with a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). In many clinical trials, these drugs were shown to be more effective than placebo. These drugs can have serious negative side effects. It is important to talk with your doctor prior to taking or stopping one of these medications.

You may have to try various antidepressants until you discover the one that works best for you. It is also possible to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants or another treatment. For those who suffer from severe or life-threatening forms of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ect treatment for depression and anxiety) is a possibility. This procedure uses electrical impulses to cause controlled seizures in the head. It can quickly alleviate depression and is especially effective treatments for depression for people who haven't had success with other treatments.

The findings of a new study suggest that a particular type of ECT known as high-frequency ECT (HFECT) might be as effective as or better than conventional ECT in treating depression that is refractory. The researchers compared HFECT with standard ECT in 23 patients who had a history of treatment-resistant depression. They had tried a variety of other treatment options for depression such as exercise and psychotherapy. The researchers found that HFECT significantly improved the symptoms of depression and produced less side effects than ECT.

Other options for treatment 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 every morning. A light box or lamp can be used at home. Some health insurance plans, employee Assistance Programs and churches offer light therapy. Healthy eating, exercise, and adequate sleep are all suggested. In addition, it's important to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because they can worsen depression and make it more difficult to receive treatment.

Psychotherapy

Depression can drain your energy levels, making it hard to take care of the daily chores. The good news is, when you seek help, your chances of a successful recovery are high. A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can help those suffering from depression.

Therapists are trained to listen without judgment 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 well-being.

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, learn how to manage stress, and also develop problem-solving abilities. Other treatments like acceptance-commitment therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy are commonly used to treat the underlying problems that contribute to depression, such as self-injury or chronic suicidal thinking.

Psychotherapy is also a useful option for those suffering from persistent depression that has not responded to medication or those who are unable take antidepressants due to allergies or health reasons. In certain situations, a doctor may recommend a complementary or alternative therapy for depression. This could include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a technique which uses a coil on the scalp to transmit magnetic pulses that alter the function of neurotransmitters.

Psychotherapy can help family members and friends who are suffering from depression to cope with the condition. Couples or families who have a member who is depressed might be recommended to undergo therapy for their families. It can help reduce tension and stress between family members and equip them with tools to support their loved one in a healthy way. A trained therapist can also assist them in helping their loved ones overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a safe and inexpensive supplement to other treatments for depression and anxiety. It alters the levels of chemicals in the brain, improves balance and flexibility, increases energy and reduces stress. It can also aid with sleep and boost self-esteem. Before beginning a new exercise routine or increasing your intensity, it's important to consult your doctor.

In large-scale epidemiological research, active women and men suffer from depression at a lower rate than people who are sedentary. It's difficult to determine if exercise can treat depression that is already present. You must study it like any medicine by randomly assigning patients with depression to either exercise or a control group, and scrupulously tracking what happens.

The largest study on physical activity as a depression treatment to date suggests it works at a minimum, as well as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study combined data from 41 studies involving 265 participants. The study concluded that nearly all types of exercise can reduce symptoms of depression. However certain types of exercise are more efficient than others. The most effective exercises were jogging or walking yoga, strength training and yoga. The benefits grew as the intensity of the exercise increased, which suggests that even mild exercise can be beneficial.

Researchers believe there are many reasons why exercise helps with depression. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen in the brain. Another is that it increases certain chemicals, including serotonin and dopamine. Other factors are the social benefits of group exercise as well as the psychological motivation that keeps people exercising.

If someone is depressed, they tend to stop or decrease their activities. Doctors recommend that you attempt to return to your activities as soon as you are able to. They can help you find pleasure and enjoyment. This is vital to beating depression. Being involved in activities that you enjoy can give your life meaning and purpose.

If you're not sure what to do, you can try your local gym or group fitness class. If you suffer from a physical disability or injury consult your physician regarding the best way to treat depression exercises. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has a guide to exercise and depression, and Beyond Blue offers a template to help plan your activity.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Mental health issues are treated with many alternative or "natural" therapies. These include herbal treatments and massage. These therapies aren't scientifically tested and can have adverse consequences. They may also interfere with other medications, so it is recommended to only take them under the supervision of their physician or therapist.

There is not much research about the effectiveness of these treatments and they are not recommended by Cancer Council. Some have been marketed as 'cancer remedies', but they are not tested. They can cause distress or harm to some people, especially if trying to replace medical treatments.

The most effective depression treatment refractory Depression typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is a general term for discussing your feelings with a trained professional, like psychologist or psychiatrist. Some types of psychological treatment are more specific to depression than others, however all will aid you in understanding your situation and learn new ways to deal with it. This includes:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of changing negative perceptions and thinking patterns that cause depression to worsen. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on your relationships and how to treat depression and anxiety you interact with them. Couples and family therapy can help you improve the communication between you and your loved ones.

There are many different types of therapy, such as computer programs and sessions online. These sessions are generally cheaper than in-person sessions, and could be beneficial for certain people. They aren't suitable for everyone, and some aren't covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experiences with these programs and whether they think it is suitable for you.

In your meeting with your doctor the doctor will review all the medicines to treat depression you use, including herbal supplements and prescription medications, to determine how they impact your depression. They will also examine your physical health to see whether you have any health issues that can be linked to depression. For instance thyroid disease, chronic back pain. They will also consider if another mental health condition like bipolar disorder or personality disorders might be the cause of your depression.