What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best treatment for depression differs depending on the individual. Talk with your health care provider about the best treatment for you.

You may need to test several antidepressants before you find one that helps. You might need to mix psychotherapy and antidepressants, or with a medication that treats another mental or physical condition like an anti-anxiety drug, thyroid hormone or mood stabilizer.

Medication

Medication is an effective treatment for moderate to mild depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They can also reduce the frequency of depression symptoms. It's important that you follow the exact dosage recommended by your physician. They won't work if don't.

In general, doctors recommend beginning with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). In numerous clinical trials, these drugs were shown to be more effective than placebo. They can have serious side effects, so it's crucial to talk with your doctor before you begin or stop taking one of these medications.

You may need to try several different antidepressants before you find one that works for you. You might also have to combine psychotherapy with antidepressants or other treatments. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) might be a viable option for people who have a severe form of depression or a life-threatening condition. This procedure uses electric impulses to cause controlled seizures in the brain. It is able to quickly relieve depression and is especially beneficial for patients who haven't had success with other treatments.

The findings of a recent 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. Researchers compared HFECT with conventional ECT on 23 patients with a history of treatment resistant depression. All had tried a number of other treatment options for depression can be treated (writes in the official telegra.ph blog) such as exercise and psychotherapy. The study revealed that HFECT significantly reduced symptoms of depression, and also caused less side effects than ECT.

Other treatment options include light therapy, which is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This involves sitting in front of the bright light for approximately half an hour each day. You can opt for the light box or lamp at home treatment for depression. Some health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches provide light therapy. Exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep are all suggested. It is also essential to stay clear of alcohol and recreational drugs because they can exacerbate depression and make it harder to receive electromagnetic treatment for depression.

Psychotherapy

Depression can zap your energy, making it hard to take care of the daily chores. However, the good news is that if you seek treatment your chances of recovery are very high. A combination of professional psychotherapy and medication can help those suffering from depression.

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 boost your mental wellbeing.

There are a variety of psychotherapy available to treat depression. Cognitive therapy is a type that helps you identify negative thinking patterns and create healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you improve your interpersonal relationships, and learn how to manage stress and develop ability to solve problems. Other therapies, such as dialectical behavior therapy, as well as acceptance and commitment therapy are often employed to address the root causes that can cause depression, like self-injury behavior and persistent suicidal thoughts.

Psychotherapy can also be a beneficial option for those suffering from persistent depression that has not been able to be treated with medication or for those who cannot take antidepressants due health reasons or allergies. In certain instances a psychiatrist might recommend alternative or complementary therapies for depression such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses a treatment coil that is positioned against the scalp to transmit short magnetic pulses that alter the functioning and effects of neurotransmitters within the brain.

In addition to helping people find a sense of control and joy in their lives psychotherapy can also help family members or friends who are suffering from the effects of depression on their loved family members. Couples or families that are living with someone who is depressed might be recommended to undergo family therapy. It can help reduce tension and stress among family members, and provide them with the tools to support their loved ones in a healthy manner. Additionally, a trained therapist can guide them on how to help their loved one overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a cost-effective and safe method to treat depression and anxiety. It changes levels of chemicals in the brain and improves flexibility and balance, increases energy and reduces stress. It can also improve sleep and boost your self-esteem. Before beginning a new exercise regimen or increasing the intensity, you should consult your physician.

In large-scale studies, both men and women who exercise have depression at a lesser rate than those who sit. It's a bit more difficult to determine whether exercise can help treat depression that is already present. You must look into it just like any other medicine and randomly assigning people suffering from depression to exercise or a group that is a control and carefully keeping track of the results.

The largest study on physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it works at least as well as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study pooled data from 41 studies involving 265 participants. It found that almost any type of exercise can reduce depression symptoms, although certain forms of exercise are more effective than others. Jogging or walking was the most effective exercise, followed by yoga and strength training. The benefits increased as the intensity of the exercise increased, indicating that even mild exercise can be beneficial.

Researchers suspect there are several reasons why exercising can relieve depression treatment effectiveness. One is that it assists by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. It also increases certain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. Other factors could be the social support that comes with group exercise, and the psychological motivation that motivates you to keep exercising.

When people are depressed, they typically stop or limit their activities. Doctors recommend that you return to the activities as soon as you can. They can help you find satisfaction and pleasure. This is essential to beat depression. Being involved in activities you love can provide you with meaning and a sense of meaning.

If you're not sure where to begin, try an exercise facility near you or a group fitness class. If you suffer from an injury or physical impairment ask your doctor regarding the best treatment for severe depression exercise options. Black Dog Institute offers interactive tools and a guide to exercise and depression. Beyond Blue also has a template for planning your activity.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Many alternative or "natural" treatments are used to treat mental health problems. These include herbal remedies and massage. These treatments aren't scientifically tested and can have negative side negative effects. They may also interact with other medications, and people should only use them with the approval of their therapist or doctor.

Cancer Council does not recommend these therapies because there is very little research on their effectiveness. Some have been marketed as "cancer cures", but they are not tested and may cause harm or distress to some people, especially when they are attempting to replace medical treatments.

The most effective depression treatment usually includes medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe speaking about your thoughts and feelings with an experienced professional, such as psychiatrist or psychologist. Some psychological treatments are more specific for depression than others. But, they all aid in understanding the condition and come up with new ways to manage it. These include:

CBT aims to change negative thinking patterns and pessimistic assessments that can cause depression to become worse. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships focuses on the relationships you have in your life and how you interact with them. Therapy for couples and families can aid in improving the communication between you and your loved ones.

There are many different types of therapy, including sessions on the internet and computer programs. They are usually cheaper than face-toface sessions and could be beneficial for some individuals. However, not all are suitable for everyone and many are not covered by insurance. Ask your therapist if they have experience with these types of programs and ask them to recommend one that could be suitable for you.

During your conversation with your healthcare provider during your visit, they will review 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 suffer from any physical conditions that can sometimes be linked to depression, like chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also check if there is another mental disorder that may be the cause of depression, such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders.