What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

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

You may need to try several antidepressants until you discover the one that works for you. You might also have to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or medication used to treat another mental or physical illness, such as an antipsychotic mood stabilizer, anti-anxiety medication or thyroid hormone.

Medication

Medication is a very effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They also can help reduce the frequency of depression-related episodes. It's important that you adhere to the exact instructions prescribed by your doctor. If you do not, they won't work.

In general, doctors suggest beginning with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like citalopram (Celexa) or escitalopram (Lexapro) or the fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). These drugs have been shown to be more effective than placebo in numerous clinical trials. These drugs could cause serious adverse effects. It's important to consult your doctor prior to taking or stopping any of these drugs.

You may have to try several antidepressants until you find the one that works best for you. You may also need to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants or another treatment. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) may be a possibility for patients suffering from an extreme form of depression or a serious condition. This procedure uses electrical impulses that cause controlled seizures in the head. It is effective in treating depression fast and is recommended for patients who have not responded to other treatments.

The results of a recent study suggest a type of ECT called high-frequency ECT could be just as effective or even better than standard ECT in treating refractory depression disorders. Researchers compared HFECT to standard ECT on 23 patients with an history of treatment-resistant depression. All patients had tried other depression treatments such as psychotherapy and physical exercise. Researchers discovered that HFECT significantly reduced depression symptoms, and also had less adverse effects than ECT.

Other treatment options include light therapy, which is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This involves sitting in a bright spot every day for about 30 minutes. You can use lamps or a light box at home. Certain health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches provide light therapy. Exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep are all recommended. In addition, it's important to avoid drinking and taking recreational drugs as they can cause depression and make it harder to receive treatment.

Psychotherapy

Depression can drain your energy, making it hard to handle the daily chores. However, the good news is that if you seek help your chances of recovery are good. A combination of professional psychotherapy and medication can offer relief to those suffering from depression.

Therapists are trained to listen without judgment them, and can help you examine your feelings and issues in an atmosphere of support. They also teach you coping skills and encourage self-awareness that can promote mental health.

There are several different types of psychotherapy for depression including cognitive therapy which helps you recognize thoughts that are negative or untrue and learn healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you change unhealthy patterns of behavior by helping you build efficient problem-solving skills, manage stress and improve your interpersonal relationships. Other therapies, such as the dialectical behavior therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy are often used to address the underlying issues that cause depression, such as self-injury behavior and persistent suicidal phobias.

Psychotherapy is also a useful tool for those who suffer from persistent depression that has not responded to medication or those who are unable use antidepressants because of allergies or health issues. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a complementary or alternative therapy for depression treatment in pregnancy. This could include transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS) which is a method which uses a coil on the scalp to send magnetic pulses which impact the neurotransmitters' functions.

In addition to helping people find the sense of control and enjoyment in their lives, psychotherapy can assist family members or friends who are experiencing the effects of depression on their loved ones. Therapy for marital or family members is often recommended for those who live with someone who is suffering from depression. It can ease tension and stress among family members, and offer them the tools to help their loved ones in a healthy and positive way. A qualified therapist can guide them on how to help their loved family members overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a cheap and safe method of treating anxiety and depression. It boosts energy, decreases anxiety, and helps improve balance and flexibility. It can also improve your sleep and boost your self-esteem. It's important to check with your GP before beginning anything new or increasing your exercise routine.

In large-scale epidemiological studies active women and men develop depression at lower rates than those who are sedentary. It's harder to test whether exercise can treat depression that is already present. You need to study it like you would any other medicine. Randomly assigning patients suffering from depression to exercise or to an uncontrolled group, and then tracking their progress.

The largest study of physical activity as a treatment for depression and Anxiety treatment near me to date suggests that it works at a minimum as well as standard medications and psychotherapy. The study gathered data from 41 trials that included 265 participants. The study concluded that nearly all kinds of exercise can help reduce depression symptoms. However some are more efficient than others. The most effective exercises were jogging or walking, yoga and strength training. The benefits grew with intensity, suggesting that even mild exercise is better than no exercise at all.

Researchers believe there are multiple reasons why exercise relieves depression. One is that it assists by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. It also increases certain chemicals like dopamine and seratonin. Other reasons include the social support provided by group exercise and the psychological motivation that keeps people working out.

People are often forced to cut back or restrict their activities when depressed, however, doctors suggest taking steps to resume these activities as soon as possible. Engaging in them can bring back joy and pleasure which is crucial to beating depression. Doing things you enjoy gives your life meaning and meaning.

If you're not sure where to begin, go to an exercise facility near you or a group fitness class. If you have a physical disability or injury ask your doctor about the best exercise options. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has a guide for depression and exercise and Beyond Blue offers a template to help plan your activity.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Many alternative or "natural" treatments are used to treat mental health issues. These may include herbal remedies such as massage and acupuncture. These treatments are not scientifically tested, and they could cause adverse consequences. They may also interact with other medications, which is why people should only use them with the approval of their physician or therapist.

There is little research on the effectiveness of these treatments and they are not recommended by the Cancer Council. Certain therapies have been marketed as 'cancer cures' however they aren't established and could cause discomfort or harm to certain people, especially if they are trying to replace medical treatment.

The most effective treatment for depression typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe talking about your thoughts and feelings with trained professionals like a psychologist or psychiatrist. Certain types of psychological therapy are more specific to depression than others, but most will aid you in understanding your condition and learn new ways to deal with it. These include:

CBT aims to change negative thinking patterns and negative assessments that can cause depression to become worse. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships is a kind of psychotherapy that is focused on your relationships and how you interact with them. Therapy for couples and families can help you improve communication within your relationships.

There are many different types of therapy, including computer programs and sessions online. These sessions are generally cheaper than in-person sessions, and could be beneficial to some. Some are not suitable for all, and a few aren't covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experiences with such programs and if one is right for you.

When you speak to your healthcare provider the doctor will review all the medications you take such as herbal supplements and other over-the-counter medications to determine how treat anxiety and depression they impact your depression. They will also assess if you suffer from any physical conditions that may be linked to depression, like chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also look into whether you have another mental depression treatment health issue such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders, could be the reason behind your depression.