What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best treatment for depression varies from person to. Consult your physician about what may work for you.

You might need to try several antidepressants before you find one that is effective. You may also need to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or a medication used to treat another physical or mental illness like an antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, anti anxiety drug or thyroid hormone.

Medication

Medication is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They can also reduce the frequency of depression symptoms. However, it's important to take these medications according to the dosage prescribed by your doctor. If you do not, they won't work.

In general, doctors suggest starting with a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa) or the escitalopram (Lexapro) or fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). In numerous clinical trials these medications were found to be more effective that placebo. These medications can cause serious adverse effects. It is essential to consult your doctor before starting or stopping any of these medicines.

You might have to test several antidepressants until you find the one that works best for you. You might also have to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants or another treatment. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) could be an option for some people suffering from a severe form of depression treatment without meds or a life-threatening condition. The procedure utilizes electrical impulses to trigger controlled seizures in the brain. It can rapidly relieve depression and is most efficient for those who haven't had success with other treatments.

The findings of a new study suggest that a specific type of ECT known as high-frequency ECT (HFECT) may be as effective as or superior to conventional ECT in treating depression that is refractory. The researchers compared HFECT to conventional ECT in 23 patients who had an history of treatment-resistant depression. All patients had tried other treatment options for depression like psychotherapy or physical exercise. The study revealed that HFECT had a significant effect on the symptoms of depression, and also caused less adverse effects than ECT.

Light therapy is a different alternative to treat seasonal affective disorder. This involves sitting in a bright spot every day for about 30 minutes. A lamp or light box can be used at home. Certain health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches provide light therapy. Healthy eating, exercise and adequate sleep are advised. In addition, it's important to avoid the use of Alcohol depression treatment and recreational drugs since they can cause depression and make it harder to respond to treatment.

Psychotherapy

Depression can drain your energy and make it difficult to perform the tasks of daily life. But the positive side is that if you seek treatment your chances of recovery are good. A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can help people who are depressed.

Therapists are trained to listen without judgement of them, and can help you examine your feelings and issues in an atmosphere of support. They can also assist you to improve your coping skills and your self-awareness, which will promote mental well-being.

There are a variety of psychotherapy available to treat depression. Cognitive therapy is a kind that helps you recognize negative thinking patterns and develop healthy strategies for dealing with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you improve your interpersonal relationships, discover how to manage stress and develop ability to solve problems. Other therapies, like dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, are often employed to address the root causes that contribute to depression, including self-injury behavior and persistent suicidal thoughts.

Psychotherapy is also a useful option for those suffering from chronic depression that hasn't responded to medications or for those who cannot take antidepressants due allergies or health reasons. In certain instances doctors might recommend alternative or complementary therapies for depression. This could include transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS) A method that uses a coil placed on the scalp to send 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 who are suffering from the effects of depression on their loved family members. Couples or families that have a member who is depressed might be advised to engage in family therapy. It can ease tension and stress among family members, and provide them with the tools to help their loved ones in a healthy manner. A qualified therapist can teach them how to help their loved ones overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a cheap and safe method to treat depression and anxiety. It alters the levels of chemicals in the brain it improves balance and flexibility boosts energy and decreases stress. It can also improve your sleep and boost self-esteem. Before beginning a new workout routine or increasing your intensity, you should consult your physician.

In large-scale research, men and women who exercise suffer from depression at a lower rate than those who sit. It's more difficult to determine whether exercise can help treat depression that already exists. It is important to research it just like any other medicine. Randomly assigning people living with treatment resistant depression depression either to exercise or an uncontrolled group, and then tracking their development.

The largest study on physical activity as a depression treatment to date suggests that it works at a minimum, as well as standard drugs and psychotherapy. The study combined the results from 41 trials that included 265 participants. The study found that almost all types of exercise could help reduce depression and treatment symptoms. However some are more effective than others. The most efficient exercises were jogging or walking, yoga and strength training. The benefits grew as the intensity increased, indicating that even mild exercise is better than nothing.

Researchers believe there are multiple reasons why exercise can help with depression. One is that it helps with oxygen flow and blood flow to the brain. Another reason is that it enhances certain chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin. Other factors could be the social connection that is a result of exercise in a group, and the psychological motivation that motivates you to keep working out.

People tend to stop or limit their activities when they're depressed, however, doctors suggest returning to those activities as soon as possible. Doing them regularly can help you regain pleasure and enjoyment which is essential in beating depression. Doing things you enjoy gives your life meaning and meaning.

If you're unsure what to do, you can try your local gym or a group fitness class. Talk to your doctor for advice if you have a handicap or injury. Black Dog Institute offers interactive guides and resources on exercise and depression. Beyond Blue also has an exercise plan template that can be used to plan your exercise routine.

Alternative or complementary therapy

Mental health issues can be treated using a variety of alternative or "natural" therapies. These include herbal treatments and massage. These treatments are not scientifically tested and can have negative side negative effects. They may also interact with other medications, so users should only take them under the supervision of their therapist or doctor.

There is not much research on the efficacy of these treatments and they are not recommended by Cancer Council. Some have been promoted as "cancer cures", however they aren't proven and could cause discomfort or harm to certain people, especially if they are trying to replace medical treatment.

The most effective depression treatment typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is a term used for talking about your experiences with a trained professional such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Some psychological treatments are more specific for depression than others. However, they all aid in understanding your condition and discover new ways to deal with it. These include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of changing pessimistic evaluations and unhelpful thinking patterns that can cause depression to become worse. Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on the relationships in your life and how you interact with them. Therapy for couples and families can help you improve communication within your relationships.

There are a variety of types of therapy, such as sessions on the internet and computer programs. These sessions are typically cheaper than in-person sessions and may be beneficial to some. However, not all of them are suitable for everyone, and some are not covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experience with these programs and whether they think it is suitable for you.

During your conversation with your healthcare provider, he or she will go over all the medications you take such as herbal supplements and prescription medications to determine the impact they have on your depression. They will also assess if you have any physical health conditions that may be linked to depression, such as chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also check whether you have another mental condition that could be causing your depression, like bipolar disorder or personality disorders.