Depression Treatment Methods
Depression can be treated by many methods. These include psychological therapies, alternative treatments and medications.
Psychotherapy is a form of cognitive behavior therapy, which helps people recognize and alter their thinking patterns. Other options include acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy, which are both specifically designed to help people with depression who are that is resistant to treatment.
Medication
The most commonly used and effective treatment for depression is medication. They are especially effective for those suffering from 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.
Antidepressant medications can be used to treat depression. The most commonly used antidepressant is fluoxetine (Prozac). It is taken orally in tablet form and has been around for a long time. But newer drugs, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and citalopram (Celexa), may be more effective and have fewer adverse effects.
For those suffering from severe depression, talking therapy is often combined with medication. Psychotherapy is designed to help you better understand the causes of depression and to help you learn how to manage it. It can be carried out by yourself or with a medical professional or with other patients in groups. Two kinds of therapy for talk that have been proven to be effective are cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.
Meditation, exercise, and light therapy are other options for treating depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is treated using an artificial light box that mimics bright sunlight. It can also be used to treat chronic depression disorder in bipolar disorders.
Your doctor may also prescribe drugs that treat a mental or physical condition along with an antidepressant, to increase the effectiveness. depression management strategies Iampsychiatry is called augmentation. It could involve the use of mood stabilizers, antianxiety or antipsychotic medications or even thyroid hormone.
If your depression is mild or not severe, your GP might suggest waiting a few days to see if the symptoms will go away on their own. This is sometimes called"watchful waiting. It is important to keep in contact with your GP and set up regular appointments to check on your progress.
Some people suffering from depression can might benefit from other therapies like energy healing or reflexology, which involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. Some sufferers find relief through meditation or yoga. Others find comfort in prayer or chanting. If your depression is very serious, or you're having thoughts of suicide, it's essential to seek treatment as quickly as you can.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, can assist people in learning how to cope with their symptoms and understand the reasons behind their depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with medication or by itself. It is essential to begin treatment when you begin to notice symptoms, and to keep track of your sessions.
There are various types of psychotherapy. Each is suitable for a specific situation or circumstances. Group therapy is a combination of two or more people and you, while family therapy teaches loved ones how to help you. Certain therapists specialize in specific areas, such as family issues or childhood trauma and can provide special treatments that are ideal for you.
Psychotherapy can be described as psychotherapy that is based on interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and the behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help you learn how to deal with depression and it can help change your behaviors that aren't beneficial. Cognitive therapy focuses on changing pessimistic judgments and negative thinking patterns that cause depression. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a brief treatment that aims to address the relationship problems which are closely linked to depression.
Finding the best type of therapy for you may require some patience and time but it's well worth it in the end. It's also helpful to have a system of support that can help you stay on track with your treatment. Talk to trusted family or friends, join a depression support groups or go through reputable self-help websites and books.
If you suffer from a serious medical condition, like an illness or injury, it is essential to see a doctor examine you to determine if there's an underlying physical reason for your depression. If you have a serious medical condition like an injury or illness it is essential to visit an expert doctor to determine if there's an actual cause for your depression. Medication can be an effective treatment for depression, and combining it with psychotherapy can help you recover faster. Remember that any treatment for depression will require time. There are also highs and lows throughout the course of treatment. If you stay with your plan, you will be able to beat depression.
Light therapy
Light therapy is the practice of sitting in front of a special lamp, or light box which emits bright sunlight. This is a well-known treatment option for those suffering from seasonal affective disorders. It resembles natural sunlight and can improve energy and mood. It's also been found to improve sleep issues which are often linked to depression. It's believed that light therapy can help by altering circadian rhythms and increasing serotonin in the brain. It is possible that light therapy can have an effect positive on other hormones, for instance melatonin, which is released when you sleep.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that SAD is treated in the same manner as other types of depression. This could include talk therapies like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), antidepressants and light therapy. It is best to begin treatment at the beginning of winter, before symptoms start to manifest, and continue through spring.
Recent research into the use of light therapy in the treatment of SAD found that the majority of patients who used the therapy were able to achieve remission following strict criteria. The results included a decrease in symptoms using a well-established measure that is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - SAD version. The study concluded that the treatment is safe and well tolerated.
Be aware that light therapy isn't an all-in-one solution for SAD. It is still recommended to seek advice from a physician. It's also important to remain active, eat a balanced diet and sleep enough and to lessen stress.
In addition to light therapy, antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of SAD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently prescribed form of antidepressant to treat SAD, and they can improve your mood in just several weeks. They can cause side effects such as a dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation, however these tend to go away quickly.
Certain people may find that light therapy doesn't alleviate their symptoms, or they have unpleasant side effects such as headache, eye strain, agitation or skin irritation. These side effects can be minimized by adjusting the duration of treatment, time of day, or the product used.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Prescription medication is among the most common treatments for depression. However, it may not be suitable for all patients. If a medication isn't working or causes unacceptable side-effects it might be time to look into a complementary or alternative therapy. These treatments concentrate on your physical and spiritual health and can relieve depression symptoms like anxiety and chronic pain.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles in various body parts such as your hands, ear, or feet. It can help with a variety of symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, and depression. It has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants but without the adverse negative effects.
Mindfulness meditation: This type of therapy focuses on learning to look at your thoughts and emotions without judgement and will help you feel more in control of your emotions. It can be performed on your own or in conjunction with a trained therapist.
Yoga: This kind of exercise can reduce stress and depression. It also improves your breathing and gives you a an overall feeling of wellbeing.
Massage: Touch is soothing. Massages that are deep and tense are great for anxiety, tension in the muscles, and depression. Aromatherapy Inhaling essential oils can lift a depressed mood.
Energy healing techniques such as reiki, yoga and tai-chi. They are based on the idea that illnesses are caused by energy blockages.
Exercise: Swimming, walking, or any other type of movement can help treat depression. Recent research revealed that 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise decreased symptoms of depression.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new treatment that relies on repeated exposure to a distressing memory to help the brain process it. It has been proven to be extremely effective in treating PTSD however, it needs more research into its effectiveness for depression.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists reviewed the evidence supporting a variety of CAM treatments for depression, such as Acupuncture and bright light therapy. The reviews were brief and some were limited like a limited number of trials included and small sample sizes. The Royal College of Psychiatrists does not recommend any CAM treatment for depression.