What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?
The best treatment for depression differs from person to. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.
You might need to try various antidepressants before finding one that helps. It is also possible to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or medication to treat a physical or mental disorder, such as an antipsychotic mood stabilizer, anti-anxiety drug or thyroid hormone.
Medication
Medication is a very effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that play a role in mood. They also can help reduce the frequency of depressive episodes. But, it's crucial to take these medications according to the dosage prescribed by your doctor. They won't work if don't.
In general, doctors recommend starting with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). In many clinical trials, these drugs were shown to be more effective than placebo. These drugs can have serious negative side effects. It is important to talk with your physician prior to starting or stopping any of these medicines.
You might need to test several antidepressants until you find the one that is most effective for you. You may also have to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) might be a possibility for people who have an extreme form of depression or a serious condition. This procedure uses electric impulses to cause controlled seizures in the brain. It is effective in treating depression quickly and is best for those who have not been able to respond to other treatments.
The results of an investigation that was conducted recently suggest that a type of ECT called high-frequency ECT may be just as effective or even better than standard ECT for treating depressive disorders. The researchers compared HFECT with conventional ECT in 23 patients with who had a history of depression that was resistant to treatment. All had tried a number of other depression treatments, including psychotherapy and exercise. Researchers discovered that HFECT significantly reduced depression symptoms and produced less adverse effects than ECT.
Other options for treatment include light therapy that is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is when you sit in a bright light every day for about 30 minutes. You can make use of a light box or lamp at home. You can also obtain light therapy through certain health insurance plans or employee assistance programs as well as churches. Exercise, healthy eating and sufficient sleep are all essential. Additionally, it's crucial to avoid drinking and taking recreational drugs as they can cause depression and make it more difficult to respond to treatment.
Psychotherapy
Depression can sap your energy and make it difficult to perform the tasks of daily life. But the good news is that if you seek help the chances of recovery are very high. A combination of professional psychotherapy and medication can provide relief for people who are depressed.
Therapists are trained to listen without judgment them, and can help you discover your struggles and emotions in a supportive environment. They can also assist you to develop coping skills and increase your self-awareness, which can help you improve your mental health.
There are a variety of psychotherapy that are available to treat depression. Cognitive therapy is a kind that helps you recognize negative thinking patterns and develop healthy strategies to handle difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you improve your interpersonal relationships, discover how to manage stress and develop problem-solving abilities. Other therapies, like dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are often employed to address the root causes that can cause depression, such as self-injury and suicidal phobias.
Psychotherapy can also be a beneficial tool for people who have persistent depression that has not been able to be treated with medication or for those who are unable to take antidepressants due health reasons or allergies. In certain situations doctors might recommend a complementary or alternative therapy for depression. This could include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) A method that utilizes a coil on the scalp to transmit magnetic pulses that alter the function of neurotransmitters.
In addition to helping people gain a sense of control and pleasure in life Psychotherapy can also assist family members or friends experiencing the effects of depression on their loved family members. Therapy for marital or family members is often recommended to those who are living with a person who is suffering from depression. It can ease tension and stress among family members, and offer them the tools to help their loved family members in a healthy way. Additionally, a trained counselor can show them how to help their loved one overcome depression.
Exercise
Exercise is a cost-effective and safe method of treating anxiety and depression. It increases energy, reduces anxiety, and helps improve balance and flexibility. It can also aid with sleeping and boost self-esteem. It is important to consult your GP before beginning any new exercise or stepping up your workout.
In large-scale epidemiological studies, active men and women develop depression at much lower rates than sedentary people. However, it's more difficult to determine whether exercise can treat existing depression. It's important to examine it as you would any other medication and randomly assigning people suffering from depression to either exercise or a control group and carefully recording the outcomes.
The most comprehensive study of physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it is effective, at a minimum, as well as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study gathered data from 41 studies that included 265 participants. The study revealed that almost all types of exercise can reduce symptoms of depression. However depression and anxiety treatment are more effective than others. Jogging or walking was the most effective exercise, followed by strength training and yoga. And the benefits increased as the intensity increased, indicating that even mild exercise is better than none at all.
Researchers suspect there are several reasons why exercise can help relieve depression. One reason is that it assists by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Another is that it increases certain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin. Other factors may include the social support that comes from exercise in groups, as well as the psychological motivation to keep working out.
People are often forced to reduce or stop their activities when depressed, but doctors suggest taking steps to resume these activities as soon as possible. Doing them regularly can help restore joy and pleasure which is essential to beating depression. Doing things you enjoy can give life meaning and purpose.
If you're not sure what to do, you can try your local gym or group fitness class. If you have an injury or physical impairment ask your doctor about the best exercises. Black Dog Institute offers interactive resources and a guide on depression and exercise. Beyond Blue also has an exercise plan template that can be used to plan your exercise routine.
Alternative or complementary therapies
Mental health problems are addressed with a variety of alternative or "natural" therapies. These include herbal treatments massage, acupuncture, and massage. These treatments are not tested in a scientific manner and may cause side negative effects. These treatments can also interact with other medications. Patients should only take these treatments under the supervision of a doctor or therapist.
Cancer Council does not recommend these treatments due to very little research on their effectiveness. Some have been marketed as "cancer cures", but they are not established and could cause distress or harm to some people, especially when they attempt to replace medical treatment.
The most effective treatment for depression typically involves both psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe talking about your feelings and thoughts with a trained professional like psychiatrist or psychologist. Certain psychological treatments are more appropriate for depression than others. However, all help you to understand your condition and discover new ways to manage it. They include:
CBT aims to change negative thinking patterns and negative evaluations that can make depression worse. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on your relationships and how you interact with them. Therapy for couples and families can help you improve communication in your relationships.
There are many different types of therapy, such as sessions with computers and online. These sessions are generally cheaper than in-person sessions and may be beneficial for some people. Some aren't appropriate for everyone, and some aren't covered by insurance. Ask your therapist whether they have experience with these types of programs and request a recommendation that might be suitable for you.
In a discussion with you the doctor, they will review the medicines you take, such as herbal supplements and prescription drugs, to see how they are impacting your depression. They will also examine your physical health to determine whether you suffer from any medical conditions that may be related to depression. For example thyroid disease, chronic back pain. They will also determine if another mental health condition like bipolar disorder or personality disorders could be a cause of your depression.