What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best treatment for depression and anxiety for depression varies from individual to individual. Consult your physician about what may work for you.

You may have to test a variety of antidepressants until find the one that is effective for you. You may also need to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or a medication to treat a physical or mental illness, such as an antipsychotic mood stabilizer, anti-anxiety drug or thyroid hormone.

Medication

Medication is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that play a role in mood. They can also reduce the frequency of symptoms of depression. It is essential to take these medications exactly as prescribed by your physician. If you don't, they won't be effective.

In general, doctors recommend 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). In many clinical trials, these medications were found to be more effective that placebo. These drugs can have serious adverse effects. It is important to talk with your doctor before starting or stopping any of these drugs.

You may have to try several different antidepressants before you find one that works for you. You may also have to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. For some people with a severe or life-threatening form of depression electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an option. This treatment uses electrical impulses to cause controlled seizures in the head. It can quickly alleviate depression and is especially efficient for those who haven't had success with other treatments.

The results of a new study suggest that a particular type of ECT called high-frequency ECT (HFECT) could be as effective as or better than conventional ECT in treating depression that is refractory. The researchers compared HFECT with conventional ECT in 23 patients who had an history of treatment for anxiety and depression near me-resistant depression. All had tried a number of other treatment options for depression such as exercise and psychotherapy. The researchers found that HFECT significantly reduced symptoms of depression and produced fewer side effects than ECT.

Other treatment options include light therapy that is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This involves sitting in front of a bright light for about 30 minutes every day. A lamp or light box is available for home use. Certain health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches offer light therapy. Healthy eating, exercise and adequate sleep are recommended. It is also important to avoid drinking and taking recreational drugs as they can worsen depression and make it more difficult to receive treatment.

Psychotherapy

Depression can drain your energy and make it difficult to complete the daily tasks. But the good news is that if you seek help the chances of recovery are good. A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can offer relief to people who are depressed.

In therapy, therapists listen without judgment to help you explore your feelings and issues in a supportive atmosphere. They also teach you strategies for coping and help you recognize your own self-awareness to promote mental well-being.

There are a variety of types of psychotherapy for depression, including cognitive therapy that helps you recognize thoughts that are negative or untrue and develop healthy strategies to deal with difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can help you change bad habits of behavior by helping you develop effective problem-solving skills, manage stress and improve your interpersonal relationships. Other treatments, such as acceptance-commitment therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy are commonly used to treat the underlying issues which contribute to depression, such as self-injury or the recurring suicidal thought.

Psychotherapy is a beneficial option for people suffering from recurring depression, who haven't had a response to medication or are not able to take antidepressants due to health reasons or allergies. In certain situations doctors may suggest an alternative or complementary therapy for depression. This could include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which is a method that uses a coil placed on the scalp to transmit Magnetic Treatment For Depression pulses that alter the neurotransmitters' functions.

In addition to helping people find confidence and enjoyment in their lives Psychotherapy can also 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 are living with a person who is suffering from depression. It can reduce tension and stress among family members and provide them with the tools they need to help their loved ones in a healthy way. A qualified therapist can teach them how to treat anxiety and depression without medication to help their loved family members overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a cost-effective and safe method to treat anxiety and depression. It changes levels of chemicals in the brain and improves flexibility and balance boosts energy and decreases stress. It can also aid with the quality of sleep and increase self-esteem. It is important to consult your GP before beginning any new exercise or stepping up your workout.

In large-scale epidemiological studies, active men and women develop depression at much lower rates than those who are sedentary. It's harder to test whether exercise can treat depression that is already present. You must study it the same way as any other medication. Randomly assigning people with depression either to exercise or the control group, and then observing their improvement.

The largest study on physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it works at least as effectively as standard medication and psychotherapy. The study pooled the data from 41 studies that included 265 participants. The study concluded that nearly all types of exercise could help reduce depression symptoms. However some are more effective than others. Jogging or walking was the most effective exercise, followed by strength and yoga. The benefits increased as the intensity increased, indicating that even moderate exercise is better than no exercise at all.

Researchers believe there are a variety of reasons why exercising can relieve depression. Exercise helps to increase blood flow and oxygen in the brain. Another reason is that it boosts certain chemicals, like dopamine and serotonin. Other factors include the social support that comes from exercise in a group, and the psychological motivation that motivates you to keep doing the exercise.

People tend to stop or limit their activities when they're depressed, but doctors recommend returning to those activities as soon as possible. They can help you restore joy and satisfaction. This is essential in beating depression. Doing things you enjoy can give your life meaning and purpose.

If you're not sure which direction to take, consider the local gym or group fitness class. Speak to your doctor if you have a disability or injury. Black Dog Institute offers interactive guides and resources on depression and exercise. Beyond Blue also has an exercise plan template that can be used to plan your activities.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Mental health problems are treated using a variety of alternative or "natural" therapies. These include herbal treatments and massage. These treatments are not studied scientifically and can cause adverse side negative effects. These treatments can also interact with other medicines. Patients should only take these treatments with the approval of a doctor or therapist.

There isn't much research on the effectiveness of these treatments and they are not recommended by Cancer Council. Some have been promoted as "cancer remedies" however, they aren't tested. They can cause discomfort or harm to certain people, particularly if they attempt to replace medical treatments.

The most effective treatment for depression typically includes psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is a broad term to discuss your feelings with a trained professional like a psychiatrist or psychologist. Certain kinds of psychological treatments are more specific to depression than others, but most will aid you in understanding your situation and develop new strategies to deal with it. They include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seeks to alter negative evaluations and thought patterns that can cause depression to become worse. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships is focused on the relationships in your life and how you interact with them. Couples and family therapy can aid in improving communication in your relationships.

Several different formats of therapy are available, including computer programs and online sessions. These are often cheaper than face-to-face sessions and might be helpful for some people. However, not all are suitable for everyone and some are not covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experience with these programs and whether they think it is suitable for you.

In a discussion with you, your healthcare provider will go over the medications you take, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements to determine if they impact your depression treatment options. They will also check whether you have any physical health conditions that can sometimes be associated with depression, such as chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also check whether there is a mental condition that could be contributing to your depression, such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders.