25 Shocking Facts About Depression Treatment Methods
Depression Treatment Methods
People suffering from depression can get a variety of treatment methods. These include psychological therapies, alternative treatments, and medication.
Psychotherapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people identify and change distorted thinking patterns. Other options include acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as dialectical therapy for behavior, which are both designed for depression that is resistant to treatment.
Medication
Medications are the most important depression treatment method, and the first treatment that people attempt. They work especially well in cases of severe or moderate depression, or when there is a high risk of suicide. Treatment can ease symptoms quickly and can also help to prevent relapses.
Several types of antidepressant medications have been proven to combat depression. The most popular is fluoxetine (Prozac). It is taken orally in tablet form and has been around a long time. However, newer medications, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and citalopram (Celexa), may be more effective and have fewer negative side effects.
For people suffering from depression that are severe, talk therapy is often paired with medication. Psychotherapy is designed to help you better understand your depression and to help you learn how to manage it. You can work on it by yourself with a professional or in a group setting with other patients. Two types of talk therapy that have been shown to be effective are cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.
Meditation, exercise, and light therapy are all other ways to treat depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is treated with an artificial light box that mimics bright sunlight. It can also be used to treat depression that is chronic in people with bipolar disorder.
Your doctor might also use medication that treats a mental or physical condition together with an antidepressant to increase the effectiveness. This is known as an augmentation. This can include mood stabilizers, antianxiety medications, antipsychotic or thyroid hormone.
If your depression is not severe, your GP may suggest waiting a few days to see if symptoms improve by themselves. This is called "watchful waiting". It is essential to stay in touch with your GP and schedule regular appointments for them to check on your improvement.
Some people suffering from depression can might benefit from other therapies like reflexology or energy healing which involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. Some patients experience relief through yoga or meditation. Some people find comfort through chanting or prayer. If your depression is very serious, or you're having thoughts of suicide, it's important to get treatment as soon as possible.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can help people understand why they feel depressed and discover new ways to cope with their symptoms. It may be used alone or in conjunction with medications. It is essential to begin treatment when you begin to start to feel symptoms, and keep track of your sessions.
There are several types of psychotherapy, and each is suited to specific situations or clinical circumstances. Group therapy is a mix of two or more people and you, while family therapy helps your loved ones learn how to assist you. Certain therapists specialize in particular areas like relationships or trauma from childhood. They are able to offer specific treatment.
Psychotherapy encompasses psychotherapy that is based on interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy teaches you how to deal with depression and it can help change your behavior patterns that aren't helping. Cognitive therapy is primarily focused on changing pessimistic thinking and unhelpful evaluations that contribute to depression. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships is short-term and is designed to address issues in relationships that are most closely connected to depression.
It could take some time and patience to determine the best treatment for you, but the results will be worth it. It is also essential to have a system of support to help you stay to your treatment. Talk to trusted family or friends, join depression support group or visit reputable self-help websites and books.
If you suffer from a serious medical issue, like an injury or illness, it is essential to have a doctor look over you to determine if there is an actual cause for your depression. If you suffer from an illness that is serious, such as an illness or injury it is essential to visit your doctor to determine if there's a physical cause for your depression. Combining psychotherapy and medication is an an effective way to treat depression. Keep in mind that all types of treatment for depression can take time, and you may experience ups and downs as you progress through the process. If you adhere to your plan, you can beat depression.
Light therapy
Sitting in front of an artificial light box or lamp that emits bright sunlight is called light therapy. It's a very popular treatment for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It mimics natural daylight and can boost mood and energy levels. It's also proven to aid in reducing sleep problems which are often linked to depression. Light therapy is believed to be effective by altering circadian rhythms in the brain and boosting serotonin. It's also possible that it has a positive influence on the levels of other hormones such as melatonin, which gets released in sleep.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence suggests that SAD be treated in the same way as other types depression. This can include talking treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and light therapy, and antidepressants. It is best to start at the beginning winter before symptoms begin and continue until spring.
Recent research on the effectiveness of light therapy in the treatment of SAD found that most patients who received the treatment were able to achieve remission following strict criteria. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - SAD version, a well-known measure of symptoms, showed a reduction. The study found that the treatment is safe and well tolerated.
Keep in mind that light therapy isn't an all-in-one solution for SAD. It is still recommended to consult a doctor for advice. It's also important to remain active, eat healthy meals and get enough rest and try to lessen stress.
In addition to light therapy, antidepressants have been proven to be effective in the treatment of SAD. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant for SAD is called selective serotonin reuptake blocks (SSRIs). They can improve your mood in a matter of weeks. They can cause negative effects, including dry mouth nausea, diarrhoea, nausea or constipation, but these typically disappear quickly.
Iampsychiatry are disappointed when light therapy doesn't help their symptoms, or they suffer uncomfortable side-effects, such as eye strain or headaches, agitation, or skin irritation. These adverse effects can be controlled by adjusting treatment duration and time of day or product employed.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Prescription medication is among the most commonly used treatments for depression. However, it may not be right for all people. If a treatment doesn't work or has unacceptably adverse side-effects, it's time to look into alternative or complementary therapies. These therapies concentrate on your physical and spiritual wellbeing and can ease depression-related symptoms like anxiety and chronic pain.
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into various parts of your body such as your hands, ear or feet. It can alleviate many symptoms like anxiety, insomnia and depression. It has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants but without the side effects.
Mindfulness meditation: This form of therapy focuses on learning how to look at your thoughts and emotions without judgment, which will help you feel more in control of your emotions. You can practice it on your own or with a trained therapist.
Yoga: This form of exercise can help lower stress and depression. It improves breathing and gives you a a sense of well-being.
Massage: The feeling of touch is relaxing. Massages that are deep and tense are great for anxiety, muscle tension and depression. Aromatherapy: Inhaling the aroma of certain essential oils can ease a depressed mood.
Energy healing includes techniques like reiki, yoga and tai-chi. They are based on the idea that illnesses are caused by energy blockages.
Exercise: Walking, swimming or any type of movement has been proven to to treat depression. Recent research has found that 150 minutes of moderate exercise helped reduce symptoms of depression.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a fairly new therapy that makes use of repeated exposure to a distressing memory to help the brain process it. It has been shown that EMDR is extremely effective in treating PTSD. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness for depression.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists reviewed the evidence for a number of CAM depression treatments, including Acupuncture and bright light therapy. However the reviews were not extensive and some of them had limitations, such as insufficient number of trials and small sample sizes. The Royal College of Psychiatrists does not recommend any CAM treatment for depression.