What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

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

You may need to test various antidepressants until you find one that works. You might need to mix psychotherapy and antidepressants, or with a medication that addresses another physical or mental condition like an anxiety drug, thyroid hormone or mood stabilizer.

Medication

Medication is a very effective treatment for moderate to mild depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that are involved in mood. They also can help reduce the frequency of depressive episodes. But, it's crucial to take these medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you don't, they won't be effective.

In general, doctors suggest starting with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like 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 that placebo. They can cause serious adverse effects, so it's crucial to talk with your doctor before you stop or begin taking one of these medications.

You may need to try several antidepressants before discover one that is suitable for you. It is also possible to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. For those who suffer from severe or life-threatening types of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a possibility. This treatment uses electrical impulses to induce controlled seizures in the brain. It is able to quickly relieve depression and is most effective for people who haven't had success with other treatments.

The results of an investigation that was conducted recently suggest that a type of ECT called high-frequency ECT may be as effective or better than conventional ECT for treating depressive disorders. The researchers compared HFECT to conventional ECT in 23 patients with a history of treatment-resistant depression. All patients had tried other treatment options for depression like psychotherapy or physical exercise. The researchers found that HFECT significantly improved the symptoms of depression and caused fewer side effects than ECT.

Other options for treatment include light therapy that is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This involves sitting in front of a bright light for about 30 minutes every day. You can opt for a light box or lamp at home. You can also get light therapy through some health insurance plans as well as employee assistance programs and churches. Exercise, healthy eating and enough sleep are recommended. It is also crucial to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because they can worsen depression and make it difficult to receive treatment.

Psychotherapy

Depression can drain your energy and make it difficult to carry out the daily tasks. The good news is that if you get help, the chances of recovery are high. People suffering from depression can find relief through the combination of therapy with a professional and medication.

Therapists are trained to listen without judging you, and help you discover your struggles and emotions in a safe and supportive environment. They also teach you how to cope and encourage self-awareness that can promote mental health.

There are many different types of psychotherapy that are available to treat depression. Cognitive therapy is one type that helps you identify negative patterns of thinking and develop healthy strategies for dealing with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you change negative patterns of behavior by helping you develop effective problem-solving skills, manage stress and improve interpersonal relationships. Other treatments, such as dialectical behaviour therapy and acceptance-commitment therapy are commonly utilized to address the underlying issues which contribute to depression such as self-injury and the recurring suicidal thought.

Psychotherapy is also a valuable tool for those who suffer from chronic depression that hasn't responded to medications or for those who are unable to take antidepressants due allergies or health issues. In certain instances, a psychiatrist might suggest alternative or complementary therapies for depression like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which makes use of a treatment coil placed against the scalp to send brief magnetic pulses that affect the functions and effects of neurotransmitters within the brain.

In addition to helping people find the sense of control and joy in their lives Psychotherapy can also assist family members or friends who are struggling with the effects of depression on their loved ones. Couples or families who have a member who is depressed may be advised to engage in therapy for their families. It can help reduce stress and tension between family members and provide the family members with tools to help their loved ones in a healthy way. A trained therapist can also teach them how to help their loved ones overcome menopause depression treatment.

Exercise

Exercise is an inexpensive and safe method of treating anxiety and depression. It changes levels of brain chemicals and improves flexibility and balance improves energy levels and reduces stress. It can also improve your sleep and boost self-esteem. It's important to check with your GP before beginning anything new or stepping up your workout.

In large-scale studies, men and women who exercise develop depression at a much lesser rate than those who sit. It's harder to test whether exercise can treat depression that is already present. It is important to research it the same way as any other medication. Randomly assigning patients suffering from depression either to exercise or the control group, and then monitoring their development.

The largest study on physical activity as a treatment option for depression so far suggests that it works at a minimum as well as standard medications and psychotherapy. The study gathered data from 41 studies that included 2,265 participants. It concluded that nearly any kind of exercise can decrease depression treatment without meds symptoms, but certain forms of exercise are more efficient than others. The most efficient exercises included jogging or walking, yoga and strength training. The benefits grew with intensity, suggesting that even moderate exercise is better than no exercise at all.

Researchers believe there are a variety of reasons why exercise can help relieve depression. Exercise increases the flow of blood and oxygen into the brain. It also boosts certain chemicals like dopamine and serumtonin. Other factors include the social support that comes with group exercise, and the psychological motivation to keep doing the exercise.

People tend to cut back or restrict their activities when they are depressed, but doctors suggest taking steps to resume these activities as soon as you can. They can help you find joy and satisfaction. This is essential to beating depression. Engaging in activities you love gives your life meaning and meaning.

If you're unsure what to do, you can try your local gym or a group fitness class. If you're suffering from a physical disability or injury, talk to your doctor regarding the best exercises. Black Dog Institute offers interactive tools and a guide to exercise and depression. Beyond Blue also has an outline of how to plan your exercise routine.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Many alternative or "natural" treatments are used to treat mental health issues. They include herbal remedies and massage. These therapies aren't scientifically tested and can have negative side effects. These treatments may also interact with other medicines to treat depression. It is recommended to only use these treatments with the permission of a doctor or therapist.

There is not much research into the effectiveness of these therapies and they are not recommended by Cancer Council. Some have been promoted as "cancer cures" however they aren't tested and may cause distress or harm to some people, especially if they are trying to replace medical treatments.

The most effective treatment for depression usually involves both psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe speaking about your thoughts and feelings with trained professionals like psychiatrist or psychologist. Some types of psychological treatment are more specific to depression than others, however all will aid you in understanding your condition and learn new ways to cope. This includes:

CBT aims to change negative thinking patterns and pessimistic assessments that can cause depression to become worse. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that is focused on your relationships and how you interact. Couples and family therapy can enhance communication within your relationships.

Different types of therapy are available in the form of computer programs and online sessions. These sessions are usually cheaper than traditional sessions and can be beneficial to some. However, they are not suitable for everyone and some are not covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experiences with these programs and whether one is right for you.

When you speak to your doctor the doctor will go over all the medications you use in addition to herbal supplements and other over-the-counter medications to determine how they impact your depression. They will also check whether you suffer from any physical conditions that can sometimes be related to depression, such as chronic pain or thyroid disease. They will also check if there is another mental disorder that may be contributing to your depression, like bipolar disorder or personality disorders.