What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best natural treatment for anxiety and depression treatment for depression varies from one person to another. Talk with your health care provider about the best treatment for you.

You may have to test a variety of antidepressants until find the one that works for you. It is possible to combine antidepressants and psychotherapy, or with a medication to treat another physical or mental condition, such as an anxiety drug, mood stabilizer or thyroid hormone.

Medication

For those suffering from mild to moderate depression, medication is often an effective depression treatment. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood. They can also help reduce the frequency of depressive episodes. It is crucial to take these medications exactly as recommended by your physician. If you do not, they won't work.

In general, doctors suggest beginning with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) or vilazodone (Viibryd). These drugs have been shown to be more efficient than placebo in a variety of clinical studies. They can cause serious side effects, which is why it is essential to speak with your doctor before you start or stop taking any of these medications.

You may have to try several antidepressants until you find the one that works for you. You may also need to combine psychotherapy with antidepressants or another treatment. For some people with severe or life-threatening types of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a viable option. The procedure utilizes electrical impulses that cause controlled seizures in the head. It is able to quickly relieve depression and is particularly efficient for those who haven't had success with other treatments.

The results of a new study suggest that a type of ECT known as high-frequency ECT (HFECT) might be as good as or superior to conventional ECT in treating refractory depression. The researchers compared HFECT to conventional ECT in 23 patients who had an history of treatment-resistant depression. They had tried a variety of other treatments for depression like therapy and exercise. The study found that HFECT significantly improved the symptoms of depression, and also caused fewer side effects than ECT.

Other options for lithium treatment for depression include light therapy that is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is done by sitting in a bright, bright light each day for 30 minutes. A lamp or light box can be used at home. You can also avail light therapy through certain health insurance plans as well as employee assistance programs and churches. Healthy eating, exercise and adequate sleep are also advised. It is also crucial to avoid the use of alcohol and recreational drugs since they can worsen depression and make it harder to respond to treatment.

Psychotherapy

Depression can sap your energy and make it difficult to carry out the daily tasks. But the positive side is that if you seek help your chances of recovery are high. A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can offer relief to depressed individuals.

Therapists are trained to listen without judgment you, and help you explore your emotions and challenges in an atmosphere of support. They can also help you develop coping skills and increase your self-awareness, which can help you improve your mental health.

There are a variety of types of psychotherapy available for depression. Cognitive therapy is a type that helps you identify negative patterns of thinking and develop healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you improve your interpersonal relationships, and learn how to manage stress and improve your skills for problem solving. Other treatments, such as acceptance-commitment and dialectical behavior therapy are often used to treat the underlying problems that contribute to depression such as self-injury and persistent suicidal thoughts.

Psychotherapy can also be a beneficial tool for those who suffer from chronic depression that hasn't responded to medication or those who are unable use antidepressants because of allergies or health issues. In some cases doctors may suggest an alternative or complementary therapy for depression. This could include transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS), a technique that uses a coil placed on the scalp to send magnetic pulses that alter the neurotransmitters' function.

In addition to helping people gain confidence and pleasure in life psychotherapy can also help family members or friends who are experiencing the effects of depression on their loved ones. Family or marital therapy is often recommended for those who are living with someone who is suffering from depression. It can reduce tension and stress between family members and provide the family members with tools to help their loved one in a healthy manner. A qualified therapist is able to assist them in helping their loved ones overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a secure and inexpensive supplement to other treatments for anxiety and depression treatment drugs. It changes levels of chemicals in the brain, improves balance and flexibility, increases energy and reduces stress. It can also aid in sleeping and increase self-esteem. Before beginning a new workout regimen or increasing the intensity, it's important to consult your doctor.

In large-scale studies, men and women who exercise develop depression at a much less 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 examine it as you would any other medication and randomly assigning people suffering from depression to exercise or a control group and scrupulously recording what happens.

The largest study of physical activity as a depression treatment to date suggests it works, at a minimum, as well as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study combined data from 41 studies involving 265 participants. It found that almost any kind of exercise can decrease depression symptoms, though some forms are more effective than others. The most efficient exercises included jogging or walking yoga, strength training and yoga. The benefits grew as the intensity of the exercise increased, indicating that even mild exercise can be beneficial.

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

People are often forced to reduce or stop their activities when they are depressed, but doctors suggest returning to those activities as soon as possible. They can help you regain pleasure and enjoyment. This is essential in beating depression. Doing things you love can provide you with meaning and purpose.

If you're unsure where to begin, check out your local gym or a group fitness class. Talk to your doctor in case you suffer from a disability or injury. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has a guide to 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 include herbal treatments and massage. These treatments are not studied scientifically and could cause adverse negative effects. They may also interact with other medications, which is why users should only make use of them with the permission of their therapist or doctor.

Cancer Council does not recommend these therapies because there is little research done on their effectiveness. Certain therapies have been advertised as "cancer remedies" however, they aren't proven. They could cause discomfort or harm to certain individuals, particularly if trying to replace medical treatments.

The most effective depression treatment typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is the term used to describe talking about your thoughts and feelings with an experienced professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Certain kinds of psychological treatments are more specific to depression and alcohol treatment than others, but all will aid you in understanding your condition and learn new ways to deal with it. They include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seeks to alter pessimistic evaluations and unhelpful thinking patterns that make depression worse. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships is focused on the relationships in your life and how you interact with them. Family therapy and couples therapy can enhance communication within your relationships.

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

When you speak to your healthcare provider, he or she will go over all the medications you use such as herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines to determine how they impact your depression. They will also assess if you suffer from any physical issues that could be associated with depression, like chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also look into whether you have another mental health issue, such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders could be a cause of your depression.