Depression Treatment Methods
Patients suffering from depression can get a variety of treatment methods. These include psychotherapy, alternative treatments and medication.
Psychotherapy encompasses cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people identify and change distorted thinking patterns. Other options include dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, both of which are designed for treatment-resistant depression.
Medication
Medicines are the most significant treatment for depression, and the first treatment that most people try. They are particularly effective in cases of moderate or severe depression or when there is a greater risk of suicide. The medication can relieve symptoms quickly, and it can also help to prevent relapses.
Antidepressant medications can be used to treat depression. The most common is fluoxetine (Prozac). It's taken orally in tablet form and has been in use for many years. But newer drugs, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and citalopram (Celexa) are more effective and have less adverse effects.
For people suffering from depression that are severe, talk therapy is often combined with medication. Psychotherapy is designed to help you recognize your depression and to teach you how to cope with it. It can be done by yourself or with a medical professional, or with other patients in groups. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy are two forms of talk therapy which have been proven beneficial.
Other treatments for depression include exercise, light therapy and meditation. A light box that resembles bright sunlight is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It's also used to treat chronic depression in people with bipolar disorder.
To improve the effects, your doctor may also prescribe a medication for another mental or physical condition in conjunction with an antidepressant. This is referred to as augmentation. It could include the use of mood stabilizers, antianxiety or antipsychotic drugs or it could involve thyroid hormone.
If your depression is mild your GP may suggest waiting a few days to see if symptoms improve on their own. This is sometimes called watchingful waiting. It's essential to stay in touch with your GP and make regular appointments so that they can monitor your progress.
depression treatment recommendations www.iampsychiatry.com suffering from depression may benefit from other treatments such as reflexology or energy healing, which involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. Some patients find relief from yoga or meditation. Some people find comfort through prayer or chanting. If you are suffering from depression severe or thoughts of self-harm, it is crucial to seek treatment as soon as you can.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy, sometimes referred to by the term psychotherapy can help people learn to cope with their symptoms and discover the reasons behind their depression. It can be used in conjunction with medications or on its own. It is crucial to begin treatment as soon as you are able and be present for all sessions.
There are various types of psychotherapy. Each is suitable for specific situations or conditions. Group therapy is a mixture of two or more people and you, whereas family therapy teaches loved ones how to support you. Some therapists are experts in certain areas, such as relationship issues or childhood trauma, and can offer specific treatments that are right for you.
Certain types of psychotherapy include behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships. Behavioral therapy can teach you new strategies to manage depression and alter patterns of behavior that aren't helping you. Cognitive therapy is primarily focused on changing negative thinking and negative assessments that can lead to depression. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a short-term treatment that aims to address the relationships that are the most closely linked to your depression.
It can take a bit of time and patience to find the right treatment for you, but the outcomes will be worth it. It's also crucial to have a supportive system to help you stay with your treatment. Talk to your trusted family members or friends and joining an online depression support group, or reading self-help books and websites.
If you're suffering from a serious medical issue such as an injury or illness, it's important to have a doctor look over you and determine if there's an actual cause for your depression. If it is, the condition must be addressed before you can begin therapy. Combining medication with psychotherapy is the most effective method to treat depression. Keep in mind that all types of treatment for depression can take time, and you will experience ups and downs as you go through the process. If you stick to your plan, you can beat depression.
Light therapy
Light therapy involves sitting with an individual light box, or lamp which emits bright sunlight. It is a popular treatment option for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder. It mimics natural daylight, which can boost energy and mood. It's also been found to aid in reducing sleep problems that are often associated with depression. Light therapy is thought to be effective by altering the circadian rhythms of the brain and increasing serotonin. It's possible that light therapy has an effect positive on other hormones, such as the hormone melatonin that is released when you are asleep.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence suggests that SAD be treated in the same way as other types depression. This could include treatments for talking like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), light therapy and antidepressants. It's most effective when it is initiated at the beginning of winter before symptoms begin to manifest and continues until spring.
Recent research on the effectiveness of light treatment in the treatment of SAD discovered that the majority of patients who received the treatment achieved remission based on strict criteria. This included a decrease in symptoms based on an established measure, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - SAD version. The study concluded that the treatment is safe and well-tolerated.
It's important to remember that although light therapy has been proven to be a successful treatment for SAD, it can't be relied on as a whole. It's still essential to see a doctor and follow their recommendations. It's also important to remain active, eat a balanced diet and sleep enough and to reduce stress.
In addition to light therapy, antidepressants have also been shown to be effective in treating SAD. The most frequently prescribed antidepressant for SAD is called selective serotonin blocks (SSRIs). They can improve your mood within a couple of weeks. They can have negative effects, including dry mouth nausea, diarrhoea, nausea or constipation, however these tend to disappear quickly.
Certain people may find that light therapy doesn't improve their symptoms or they experience unpleasant side effects, such as eye strain, headache and agitation, or skin irritation. These side effects can be reduced by adjusting treatment duration, time of day, or product employed.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Prescription medication is among the most popular treatments for depression. However, it may not be appropriate for all people. If a medication isn't working or has unacceptably adverse side-effects, it's possible to look into an alternative or complementary therapy. These are therapies that concentrate on your physical or spiritual wellbeing and can help relieve symptoms of depression, including anxiety and pain.
Acupuncture: This is the practice of placing needles in different points of your body, like the hands, ears or feet. It can alleviate a variety of symptoms, including insomnia, depression, and anxiety. It has been shown to be similar to antidepressants, but without the side effects.
Meditation mindfulness: This type is about learning to observe your thoughts, feelings and actions without judgement. It will help you gain control of your emotions. It can be performed by yourself or with a trained therapist.
Yoga: This type of exercise can reduce depression and stress. It also improves your breathing and gives you a an overall feeling of wellbeing.
Massage: The feeling of touch is relaxing. Massages that are deep and tense are great for anxiety, tension in the muscles and depression. Aromatherapy: Inhaling certain essential oils can help lift a depressed mood.
Energy healing: This includes techniques such as reiki, yoga, and tai chi. They are based on the belief that the cause of illness is blockages in energy.
Exercise: Walking, swimming or any type of movement has been proven to help treat depression. Recent research found that 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise reduced the symptoms of depression.
Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) is an epoch-making therapy that involves repeated exposure to a disturbing memory to help the brain process it. It has been proven to be very effective for PTSD however, it needs more research on its effectiveness for depression.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists reviewed the evidence available for a variety of CAM treatments for depression, including bright light therapy and acupuncture. The reviews were small and some were limited like a limited number of trials that were included as well as small sample sizes. Therefore, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is not advocating any CAM treatments for depression.