What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best treatment for depression varies from individual to individual. Talk to your health care professional about the best treatment for you.

It is possible to test several antidepressants before you find one that is effective. You may need to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants or with a medication that addresses another physical or mental condition, such as an anxiety drug, mood stabilizer or thyroid hormone.

Medication

For people suffering from mild to moderate depression, medication is usually an effective depression treatment. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that play a role in mood. They also help reduce the frequency of symptoms of depression. It's important that you adhere to the exact instructions prescribed by your physician. If you do not, they won't work.

Doctors suggest starting with a selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, escitalopram or citalopram paroxetine and sertraline, Zoloft, or vilazodone. These medications have been proven to be more effective than placebo in numerous clinical trials. These drugs can have serious adverse effects. It is important to talk with your doctor prior to taking or stopping any of these medications.

You may have to try several antidepressants before find one that works for you. It is also possible to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. For those who suffer from a severe or life-threatening form of depression electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an option. This treatment uses electrical impulses to trigger controlled seizures in the brain. It is effective in treating depression fast and is best for those who have not been able to respond to other treatments.

The results of a recent study suggest a form of ECT known as high-frequency ECT could be as effective or better than standard ECT for treating depressive disorders. Researchers compared HFECT to conventional ECT in 23 patients who had a history of lithium treatment for depression-resistant depression. All patients had tried other depression treatments such as psychotherapy and physical exercise. The researchers found that HFECT significantly reduced symptoms of depression and 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 a bright light every morning for around 30 minutes. A light box or lamp is available for home use. You can also get light therapy through some health insurance plans as well as employee assistance programs and churches. Exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep are all essential. It is also essential to stay away from drinking and taking recreational drugs because they can exacerbate depression.

Psychotherapy

Depression can zap your energy levels, making it hard to manage the tasks of daily living. However, the good news is that if you seek help, your chances of recovering are good. A combination of psychotherapy provided by a professional and medications can provide relief for depressed individuals.

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

There are a variety of psychotherapy available for depression. Cognitive therapy is one kind that helps you recognize negative thinking patterns and develop healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can alter negative patterns of behavior by helping you build effective problem-solving abilities as well as manage stress and improve your interpersonal relationships. Other therapies, such as dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are often employed to address the underlying issues that cause depression, like self-injury behaviors and chronic suicidal phobias.

Psychotherapy is a beneficial tool for those with recurring depression who have not been able to respond to medications or are unable to take antidepressants for health reasons or allergies. In certain cases a psychiatrist might recommend alternative or complementary therapies for depression like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which makes use of a treatment coil that is positioned against the scalp to send short magnetic pulses that impact the function and effect of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Psychotherapy can assist family members and friends suffering from depression to cope with it. Families or couples who live with someone who is depressed might be advised to go through therapy for their families. It can help reduce tension and stress among family members and provide the family members with tools to help their loved one in a healthy manner. A qualified therapist can teach them how to help their loved ones overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is an inexpensive and safe method of treating depression and anxiety. It improves the level of brain chemicals and improves flexibility and balance improves energy levels and reduces stress. It may also help with sleep and boost self-esteem. Before beginning a new exercise routine or increasing your intensity, you should consult with your doctor.

In large-scale epidemiological research, active women and men suffer from depression at lower rates than sedentary people. But it's trickier to test whether exercise can treat existing depression. You must look into it just like any other medicine by randomly assigning patients with depression to exercise or a group that is a control and carefully recording the outcomes.

The largest study on physical activity as a treatment of depression for depression to date suggests it is effective at least as effectively as standard medication and psychotherapy. The study pooled the data from 41 trials that involved 2,265 participants. It found that almost any type of exercise can reduce depression symptoms, although some forms are more efficient than others. The most effective exercises were jogging or walking as well as yoga and strength training. The benefits grew with intensity, indicating that even mild depression treatment exercise is better than no exercise at all.

Researchers believe there are a variety of reasons why exercise can relieve depression. One reason is that it assists with blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Another is that it increases certain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin. Other factors include the social support that comes from exercise in groups, as well as the psychological motivation to keep exercising.

People tend to cut back or restrict their activities when they are depressed, however, doctors suggest trying to resume those things as soon as you can. They can help you restore pleasure and enjoyment. This is vital in beating depression. Doing things you enjoy can give your life meaning and purpose.

If you're not sure where to start, try your local gym or a group fitness class. If you suffer from an injury or physical disability consult your physician about how to find suitable exercise options. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has a guide to depression and exercise, and Beyond Blue offers a template to help you plan your exercise.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Many alternative or "natural" treatments are used to treat mental health issues. These include herbal treatments and massage. These treatments haven't been scientifically validated, and they could cause adverse effects. These treatments may also interact with other medications. People should only use these treatments with the approval of a doctor or therapist.

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

The most effective treatment for depression typically consists of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe speaking about your feelings and thoughts with an experienced professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Certain kinds of psychological treatments are more specific to depression than others, however all will aid you in understanding your condition and learn new ways to manage your depression. 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 focuses on your relationships and how you interact. Family therapy and couples therapy can help improve communication in your relationships.

Several different formats of therapy are available in the form of computer programs and online sessions. These sessions are typically cheaper than in-person sessions and may be beneficial to some. However, they are not suitable for everyone and many are not covered by your 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.

When you speak to your healthcare provider during your visit, they will review all the medicines you take in addition to herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines, to determine the impact they have on your depression. They will also assess if you have any physical health conditions that may be associated with depression, such as chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also consider if you have another mental health issue like bipolar depression treatment disorder or personality disorders could be the reason behind your depression.