What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best treatment for depression differs from person to person. Talk with your health care provider about what might work for you.

You may need to try a variety of antidepressants until find one that is effective for you. You may need to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants or with a medication that treats other physical or mental ailments like an anxiety drug, mood stabilizer or thyroid hormone.

Medication

For people suffering from mild to moderate depression, medication is often an effective depression treatment. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that are involved in mood. They also help reduce the frequency of depression symptoms. It's important to take these medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you don't, they won't work.

Doctors recommend beginning with a selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine, escitalopram and citalopram paroxetine and sertraline, Zoloft, or vilazodone. In numerous clinical trials, these drugs were shown to be more effective than placebo. They can have serious side effects, which is why it's crucial to talk with your doctor before you start or stop taking any of these medications.

You might need to test various antidepressants until you discover the one that works best 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 procedure uses electric impulses to trigger controlled seizures in the brain. It is efficient in treating depression quickly and is best for those who have not had success with other treatments.

The results of a new study suggest that a type of ECT known as high-frequency ECT (HFECT) may be as effective as or better than conventional ECT in treating depression that is refractory. Researchers compared HFECT with standard ECT on 23 patients with an history of treatment-resistant depression. All patients had tried other treatment options for depression 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 that is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This involves sitting in a bright spot every morning for around 30 minutes. You can use a light box or lamp at your home. Some health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs, and churches provide light therapy. Healthy eating, exercise and adequate sleep are also advised. In addition, it's important to avoid drinking and taking recreational drugs as they can cause depression and make it harder to respond to shock treatment for depression.

Psychotherapy

Depression can drain your energy and make it difficult to complete the tasks of daily life. But the good news is that if you seek treatment your chances of recovery are high. A combination of psychotherapy provided by a professional and medications can help those suffering from depression.

Therapists are trained to listen without judgment you and assist you to discover your struggles and emotions in a safe and supportive environment. They also teach you strategies for coping and help you recognize your own self-awareness to promote mental health.

There are several different types of psychotherapy for depression, including cognitive therapy which helps you recognize negative or distorted thinking patterns and discover healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you improve your interpersonal relationships, learn how to manage stress, and also develop ability to solve problems. Other therapies such as acceptance-commitment therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy are often utilized to address the underlying issues which contribute to depression such as self-injury and persistent suicidal thoughts.

Psychotherapy can be a helpful tool for those with recurring depression, who have not been able to respond to medications or are not able to take antidepressants due to health reasons or allergies. In certain cases, a psychiatrist may recommend alternative or complementary therapies for depression such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which makes use of a treatment coil that is positioned against the scalp to send brief magnetic pulses that affect the functioning and effects of neurotransmitters within the brain.

In addition to helping people regain confidence and joy in their lives psychotherapy can also help family members or friends suffering from the effects of depression treatments on their loved ones. Family or marital therapy is sometimes recommended for those who are living with a person who is struggling with depression. It can help reduce stress and tension between family members and equip them with the tools they need to help their loved ones in a healthy way. In addition, a trained therapist can guide them on how to assist their loved ones overcome depression treatment without antidepressants.

Exercise

Exercise is a cost-effective treatments for depression and safe method of treating depression and anxiety. It changes levels of chemicals in the brain and improves flexibility and balance boosts energy and decreases stress. It can also aid with sleep and boost self-esteem. Before starting a new exercise regimen or increasing the intensity, you should consult with your doctor.

In large-scale studies, men and women who exercise develop depression at a much less rate than those who are sedentary. It's difficult to determine whether exercise can help treat depression that is already present. It's important to examine it as you would any other medication, randomly assigning people with depression to exercise or a control group, and meticulously recording what happens.

The most comprehensive study of physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests it works at the very least, as standard psychotherapy and drugs. The study gathered data from 41 trials that involved 265 participants. It concluded that nearly any kind of exercise can help reduce depression symptoms, but some forms are more efficient than others. The most efficient exercises were walking or jogging yoga, strength training and yoga. The benefits increased as intensity of the exercise increased, indicating that even light exercise can be beneficial.

Researchers believe there are many reasons why exercise can relieve depression. One reason is that it assists with blood flow and oxygen to the brain. It also increases certain chemical such as dopamine and serotonin. Other factors include the social support that comes from group exercise, and the psychological motivation to continue doing the exercise.

People are often forced to stop or limit their activities when depressed, however, doctors suggest trying to resume those things as soon as you can. They can help you regain joy and satisfaction. This is essential to beating depression. Being involved in activities you enjoy can provide you with meaning and a sense of meaning.

If you're unsure where to start, try your local gym or a group fitness class. Consult your physician if you have a disability or injury. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has an overview of exercise and depression and Beyond Blue offers a template to help you plan your activities.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Mental health issues can be treated using a variety of alternative or 'natural therapies'. These include herbal treatments, massage and acupuncture. These treatments haven't been scientifically validated, and they can cause adverse side consequences. These treatments may also interact with other medicines. It is recommended to only use these treatments with the permission of a therapist or doctor.

Cancer Council does not recommend these treatments due to limited research conducted on their effectiveness. Some have been marketed as "cancer cures", but they are not established and could cause discomfort or harm to certain people, particularly when they attempt to substitute medical treatment.

The most effective treatment for depression typically consists of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is a broad term for talking about your concerns with a trained professional such as psychologist or psychiatrist. Certain psychological treatments are more appropriate for depression than others. However, all aid you in understanding your condition and find 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 focuses on your relationships and how you interact. Family therapy and couples therapy can enhance communication within your relationships.

A variety of different forms of therapy are available, including computer programs and online sessions. These sessions are typically cheaper than in-person sessions, and could be beneficial for certain people. Some are not suitable for all, and a few aren't covered by insurance. Ask your therapist if they have experience with these kinds of programs and ask them to recommend one that is suitable for you.

During a conversation with you, your healthcare provider will go over the medications you are taking, including herbal supplements and prescription drugs to determine how they affect your depression. They will also determine if you have any physical health issues that could be related to depression, like chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also determine if another mental health issue like bipolar disorder or personality disorders could be the reason behind your depression.