Guidelines For Treating Depression
There are several different guidelines for treating depression published by the APA, CANMAT, BAP, NICE, and Texas Medication Algorithm Project. They suggest exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs.
The guidelines suggest that patients who do not respond to monotherapy use CBT or SGA prior to beginning treatment and then increase dosages as needed. Patients who are not responding to monotherapy may benefit from augmentation using lithium, psychostimulants or SSRIs.
1. Diagnosis
The first step in the treatment of depression is getting the diagnosis. This includes a discussion with a mental health professional or your doctor, and certain types of talk therapy.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and how they've affected your life over the past month. They'll also inquire if you have ever had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP will also look at your general health, family history and life style to determine if you have depression or another mental health problem.
It is essential to be honest and honest with your GP to help them get the most accurate picture of what's happening for you. This will help them to identify the signs of depression. They can then analyze these symptoms to rule out other diseases such as cancer or heart disease which can cause similar symptoms.
After your GP has determined that you may have depression, they'll rule out other conditions through tests. Blood tests, for instance tests for thyroid or anemia-related issues that could be causing depression. They will also test your blood to look for vitamin deficiencies as well as alcohol and other substances that cause depression.
If your GP discovers you have depression, they'll tell you the root of the problem and the best way to manage it. This could include psychotherapy, or a combination of therapy and medication. Antidepressants are the most effective drugs to treat depression. They alter the balance of chemicals in the brain. They can be taken either orally or by injection and it could take a few weeks before they begin working. The drugs may also cause side effects such as dry mouth and constipation.
2. Medication
Medications can help many people with depression. Initially, your doctor may prescribe one or more antidepressants. If the initial treatment doesn't yield a satisfactory result, your doctor may recommend that you try another medication or that you change the dosage or time that you take it. It is crucial to take your medication on a regular basis to reap the maximum benefits. Do not stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.
Depending on your symptoms, a general antidepressant may be prescribed or an SSRI. An SSRI boosts the levels of serotonin, which is a chemical found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa) and Escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. Examples of SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Khedezla).
Other antidepressants, such as tetracyclics, may be prescribed if a doctor believes that these medications will be more effective than an SSRI or an SNRI. SSRIs or SNRIs can be used safely by children and adolescents.
It is important to let your doctor know if you have any allergies or other health issues prior to taking any medication. Some medications can trigger side effects such as an upset stomach or dry mouth. These side effects are usually mild and will resolve by themselves in around a week. If you're taking medication don't drive or operate machinery until you feel relaxed and clearheaded.
Some depression symptoms like restlessness or trouble sleeping, may be made worse by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided because they can make depression harder to manage. The use of these substances for a long time, particularly for a long time could lead to more serious problems.
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) can assist you in dealing with issues that contribute to depression. This type of treatment may be long-lasting, but it has been proven to be beneficial for many people suffering from depression. Psychotherapy is done in many different settings that include private clinics for therapists and hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually one-on-one however it is also possible to do group therapy.
Your therapist will inquire about your feelings, behaviors and relationships, and discuss them with you in a private and private environment. During the initial sessions your therapist will get to get to know you better and suggests a treatment plan. This could include medication, psychotherapy, exercises and other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Some are short-term, and they focus on specific issues. Interpersonal therapy (IPT), for example helps people to understand the root of issues like unresolved grievances or conflicts with others. Depression can be caused in various ways, ranging from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. These may require more intensive therapy as well as other forms of treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive restructuring, aids people change their thinking patterns that cause symptoms. It also enhances the ability to cope and help them deal with the stresses and conflicts of life. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) blends elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques that help you to observe and accept your emotions.
Psychological treatments can be as effective as antidepressants in treating acute depression. However, it may take longer to work, and not everyone responds to it in the same way. It is important to attend your therapy sessions as well as to do your homework between sessions (like journaling or contemplating).
4. Counseling
If your symptoms of depression are mild or severe it's crucial to find treatments that help. Often, that includes counseling or psychological therapy. depression treatment for women can change your life. You may have to test various therapists before finding one that clicks with you, but it's worth it.
There are many types of psychotherapy. However, the majority involve discussing your concerns and learning strategies to deal with depression. It is also beneficial to share your experiences with a group of people who are experiencing similar issues. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals, therapists' offices, and even on your phone via online health services via telehealth.
Counseling for depression seeks to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to the disorder. For instance, a therapist could guide you on how to manage stress to help improve your mood. You can learn to recognize irrational thinking and challenge preconceptions which make you feel down. You could try EMDR (eye movement desensitization and processing) to ease the burden of traumatic or painful memories that could contribute to your depression.
Other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioural activation therapy, can be used to help you identify and change your patterns of behaviour. For example, behavioural therapy can be beneficial when depression makes you stop social activities. The aim is to encourage more social interaction and identify the ways in which your actions impact your mood. These approaches are usually used as a complement to medication. Ask your doctor for a referral or call the local mental health center in your community to find a licensed therapist.
5. Exercise
The benefits of exercising for the prevention and treatment of depression are well-established. It's not a standard treatment. Psychotherapy and medications are more frequently used. However, a growing body of research suggests that exercise can be as effective in treating depression as talk therapies and antidepressants, and perhaps even better.
In fact it's more effective than psychotherapy or drugs in its own right, according to a meta-analysis involving more than 150 studies. The study revealed that people who exercised for depression saw their symptoms improve by five points on one scale and 6.5 points on another that is crucial to clinical research. And the results were significant regardless of whether they exercised for only an hour or so, or more than an hour a day.
Exercise is also an effective alternative to medication or psychotherapy, which may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, it comes with the bonus of keeping us physically healthy and helping to ward off other mental health issues like anxiety.
Exercise isn't viewed as a stigmatizing practice like drugs or talking therapy. Exercise is accessible to everyone and is cost-effective and can be an empowering method.
But it's still a challenge to research the effects of exercise on a person, because it can be difficult to monitor factors such as how often people typically exercise and the other medications they might be taking. Further research is required to determine the most effective kind, frequency and duration of exercise to treat and preventing depression. In order to aid in this, doctors and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercises to their patients as part of their treatment plan. It's called a 'green prescription', and it involves writing an exercise program in accordance with the needs of the patient and encouraging them to become active through regular face-toface or phone contact with a trained fitness professional, such as an exercise physiotherapist or physical educator.