10 Life Lessons That We Can Learn From Guidelines For Treating Depression
Guidelines For Treating Depression
The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have released a number of guidelines for treating depression. In general, they recommend exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.
The guidelines suggest that patients who don't respond to monotherapy, use CBT or SGA prior to beginning treatment and then increase dosages as needed. The addition of lithium, psychostimulants, SSRIs or SNRIs or TMAPs could be beneficial for patients who are not responding to monotherapy.
1. Diagnosis
A diagnosis is the first step to treating depression. This requires a conversation with your physician or mental health professional, and certain kinds of psychotherapy (talk therapy).
Your GP will inquire about your symptoms, and how they have affected your life over the last month. They'll also inquire whether you've ever been a victim of thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP may also consider your general health, family background and lifestyle when determining whether you suffer from depression.
You should be honest and honest with your doctor so they get a full picture of how you're feeling. This will help them to recognize the signs of depression. They can then use these symptoms to rule out other illnesses such as heart disease or cancer, that could cause similar symptoms.
After your GP has decided that you may have depression, they'll rule out the possibility of other illnesses with tests. Blood tests, for instance tests for thyroid or anemia problems which could be the cause of depression. They'll also check your blood for deficiencies in vitamins or the presence of alcohol and drugs that can mimic depression.
If your GP finds that you have depression, they'll discuss what's causing it and the best method to treat it. This could include psychotherapy, or a combination of therapy and medication. The most effective medications for depression are antidepressants, which work by altering the balance of chemicals in the brain. They can be administered orally or via injections and it could take a few weeks for them to start working. The drugs may also cause adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation.
2. Medication
Many people can benefit from medication. At first, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or a combination of them. If the initial treatment does not provide a satisfactory outcome your doctor might suggest you try a different medication or to alter the dosage or frequency at which you take it. To get the most benefit of your medication, it is crucial to take it on a regular basis. You should not stop taking your medication unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
Based on your symptoms depending on your symptoms, a general antidepressant could be prescribed or an SSRI. depression treatment breakthroughs of serotonin, a chemical in the brain. SSRIs include escitalopram and citalopram as well as fluoxetine. Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. Examples of SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Khedezla).
If your doctor believes tetracyclics are more efficient than SSRIs or SNRIs, they might prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs can be used safely by children and adolescents.
Before you begin any medication, you should inform your doctor if there are any allergies or health problems. Some medications can trigger side effects such as an upset stomach or a dry mouth. In general, they are minor and disappear on their own in about one or two weeks. If you're taking medication, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel relaxed and clearheaded.
Alcohol and other recreational drugs can exacerbate depression symptoms like insomnia or restlessness. These substances should not be used because they can make depression harder to treat. If you continue to use them, especially for prolonged periods of time, can also result in more serious problems.
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can aid you deal with issues that are causing your depression. This type of treatment is long-term however it has been proven to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be done in many different settings such as private clinics for therapists and hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and rehabilitation facilities. It is typically one-on-one however group therapy is also possible.
Your therapist will inquire about your emotions, behavior and relationships, and will discuss them with you in a secure and private environment. During the initial sessions your therapist gets to know you better and recommends a treatment program. This may include medication, psychotherapy exercises and other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Some of them are temporary and focus on specific issues. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is one example. It, helps people understand underlying issues such as unresolved grievance or conflicts with others. Depression can be caused by a variety of reasons, from stress and loss to unresolved traumas, abuse and other issues. They may require a longer-term therapy and other treatments.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive restructuring, assists people to change their thinking patterns, which cause symptoms. It also improves coping skills and helps them to manage the stress and challenges of daily life. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) combines elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques which allow you to be aware and accept your emotions.
Often, psychological treatment can reduce the severity of acute moderate to severe depression in the same way that antidepressants do. It can take a bit longer for it to work and not everyone will respond the same way. It is essential to be present at your therapy sessions and to complete your homework between sessions (like journaling or contemplating).
4. Counseling
If your symptoms of depression are severe or mild it is important to seek solutions that can help. Often, that includes psychotherapy or counseling. The assistance of an outside professional with your issues can have a profound impact on your life. You may need to try various therapists before finding one who resonates with you however, it's worth it.
There are a myriad of forms of psychotherapy, but the majority involve talking about your issues and learning new strategies to cope with the depression. It can also be beneficial to discuss your experience with others who are experiencing similar struggles. Group counseling is available in hospitals, medical clinics and therapists' offices. It is also conducted via phone using online telehealth services.
Counseling for depression aims at transforming negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to the condition. For instance, a therapist might coach you on ways to manage stress so that your mood improves. You could learn to recognize irrational thought patterns and challenge the preconceived notions that make you feel down. You can use EMDR to release painful or traumatic memories that may be contributing to depression.
Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation can be used to help you recognize your behavior patterns and to make changes. For instance, behavioural activation therapy is beneficial when depression causes you to avoid social activities. The goal is to encourage you to take part in more social activities and to determine the way your actions impact your mood. These approaches are usually used as a complement to medication. You can find a qualified therapist in your region by asking your physician to refer you or by calling a mental health center in your community.
5. Exercise
Exercise is a proven method to prevent and treat depression. However, it's not widely considered a primary treatment as psychotherapy and medication being the most popular. An increasing amount of research suggests that exercise is as effective as antidepressants and other talking therapies in treating depression.
In fact it's more effective than psychotherapy or medication alone, according to a meta-analysis involving more than 150 studies. The study revealed that people with depression who exercised saw their symptoms improve by five points on average on one scale, and 6.5 points on another, which is clinically important. And the results were significant regardless of whether they exercised for just few minutes per day, or for more than an hour a day.
Exercise is an excellent alternative to psychotherapy or medications which are not suitable for everyone. Exercise can also help keep us physically fit and may help prevent other mental health issues such as anxiety.
Furthermore exercising doesn't come with the stigma that can be associated with taking prescription drugs or going to talk therapy. It's accessible to everyone, has few costs and can be an extremely positive approach.
However, it's still difficult to examine the effect of exercise as a medication due to the fact that it's difficult to determine the impact of factors like how much people exercise regularly and other medications they might be taking. Therefore, more research is required to determine the most effective kind, frequency and duration of exercise to prevent and treating depression. To help patients with depression, doctors are prescribing more exercise as part of their treatment plans. The 'green prescription,' is a program that aims to encourage patients to get active by contacting a fitness expert regularly via phone or face-to-face.