Test: How Much Do You Know About Guidelines For Treating Depression?
Guidelines For Treating Depression
There are a variety of guidelines for treating depression published by the APA, CANMAT, BAP, NICE, and Texas Medication Algorithm Project. They suggest exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs.
In general, the guidelines suggest using CBT or an SGA prior to beginning treatment and gradually increasing dosages according to the need. The addition of psychostimulants, lithium, SSRIs, SNRIs, or TMAPs could be beneficial for patients who are not responding to monotherapy.
1. Diagnosis
The first step to treat of depression is to get an accurate diagnosis. This involves a conversation with a mental health professional or your doctor, as well as certain types of talk therapy.
Your GP will inquire about your symptoms and how they have affected your life in the last month. They'll also inquire whether you've ever had thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Your GP will also examine your general health, family history and lifestyle to help decide whether you suffer from depression or another mental health issue.
It's important to be open and honest with your GP to help them get the most accurate picture of what's going on for you. This will help them to spot the symptoms of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other illnesses like heart disease.
After your GP has decided that you may have depression and they'll rule out any other ailments through tests. For example blood tests can look for thyroid issues or anemia which could be the cause of your depression. They will also test your blood to look for deficiencies in vitamins, alcohol and drugs that can cause depression.
If your GP diagnoses depression the doctor will explain the causes and best treatment options. This could involve psychotherapy or a combination of therapies and medication. The most effective drugs for depression are antidepressants, that work by altering the balance of chemical substances in the brain. They can be administered orally or through injections, and can take up to several weeks before they start to work. These medications can also cause side effects such as constipation and dry mouth.
2. Medication
The use of medications can benefit many who suffer from depression. Initially, your doctor may prescribe one or more antidepressants. If initial treatment doesn't produce a satisfactory response Your doctor may suggest that you try a different medication or change the dosage or time of day that you take it. It is crucial to take your medication on a regular basis to getting the most benefit. You should not stop taking your medication unless you are advised to take it off by your physician.
Depending on your symptoms, a general antidepressant may be prescribed or an SSRI. An SSRI is an antidepressant that raises the levels of the chemical serotonin that is found in the brain. SSRIs include escitalopram, citalopram, and fluoxetine. Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR or Khedezla).
If your doctor believes that tetracyclics are more efficient than SSRIs or SNRIs, they may prescribe them. SSRIs and SNRIs are usually considered safe to use in children and adolescents.
It is important to inform your doctor if you have any allergies or health problems before starting medication. The medication can cause side effects like an upset stomach or dry mouth. Generally, these are mild and disappear by themselves in a week or two. If you're taking medication, do not drive or operate machines until you feel calm and clearheaded.
Alcohol and other recreational drugs can worsen some depression symptoms like restlessness or difficulty sleeping. These substances should be avoided as they can make depression more difficult to manage. The use of these substances for a long time, particularly over an extended period, can lead to more serious issues.
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can help you deal with issues that contribute to 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 therapy offices and hospitals, psychiatric centers and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually done one-on-one however group therapy is also possible.
Your therapist will inquire about your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, and will discuss them with you in a private and confidential environment. In the first session your therapist gets to know you better and recommends a treatment program. This may include medication, psychotherapy activity and exercise or other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Some are short-term, and they focus on specific issues. Interpersonal therapy (IPT), for example, helps people understand underlying issues like unresolved grievances or conflicts with other people. Depression can manifest in many ways, ranging from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. This may require therapy for a longer period and other treatments.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive restructuring, helps people to change their thinking patterns that cause symptoms. It also helps improve the ability to cope and help them to manage the stress and conflicts of 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 ease acute moderate to severe depression as effectively as antidepressants do. It may take longer for it to be effective and not everyone will respond in the same manner. It is important to attend your therapy sessions as well as to complete your homework between sessions (like journaling or meditating).
4. Counseling
If you are experiencing depression symptoms that are mild or severe, it's important to find treatments that help. This can include counseling or psychological therapy. A professional outside of your life helping with your emotions can have a profound impact on your life. It may take several therapy sessions to find one who resonates with you. It's worth the effort.
There are a myriad of forms of psychotherapy, however the majority involve discussing your problems and discovering new ways to cope with the depression. best treatment for depression might also find it beneficial to share your experience with other people who are going through similar problems. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals, therapists' offices, and even via your phone using online health services via telehealth.
Counseling for depression aims at changing negative thoughts and behaviors which contribute to the condition. A therapist may be able to, for instance, guide you on how to manage stress to improve your mood. You can be taught to recognize the irrational thoughts and challenge the preconceived notions that make you feel down. You can utilize EMDR to release painful or traumatic memories that may contribute to depression.
Other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioural activation therapy, are employed to help you recognize and change your patterns of behaviour. For example the behavioural activation therapy is helpful when depression causes you to withdraw from social activities. The aim is to encourage you to participate in more social activities and to identify the ways in which your actions affect your mood. Generally, these approaches are employed in conjunction with medication. You can find a licensed counselor in your region by asking your physician to refer you, or by calling a mental health center in your community.
5. Exercise
The benefits of exercise for preventing and treating depression are well-established. It's not a standard treatment. The use of medication and psychotherapy is more commonly utilized. But a growing body of research suggests that exercise can be as effective at treating depression as talking therapies and antidepressants, perhaps even better.
A meta-analysis of over 150 studies concluded that exercise was more effective than psychotherapy or drugs alone. The study found that those with depression who exercised experienced improvement in their symptoms by five points on one scale, and 6.5 points on another, which is clinically important. And the effects were potent regardless of whether they exercised for just an hour or so or for more than an hour a day.
Exercise is also an excellent alternative to medications or psychotherapy, but it may not be suitable for all. Additionally, it comes with the bonus of keeping us physically healthy and helping to ward off other mental health issues such as anxiety.
Exercise isn't stigmatized as drugs or talk therapy. It's accessible to everyone, comes with no costs and can be an extremely positive approach.
It's still hard to study the effects of exercise on health because it can be difficult for researchers to regulate factors such as how much people exercise regularly and any other medications they might be taking. Therefore, more research is needed to determine the best type, frequency and duration of exercise for preventing and treating depression. In order to aid in this, doctors and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercise to their patients as a part of a treatment plan. The green prescription is a program that encourages patients to get active by contacting a fitness professional regularly via phone or face-to-face.