A Brief History Of Depression Treatment Methods History Of Depression Treatment Methods

Depression Treatment Methods

Depression can be treated with many methods. These include psychological therapies, alternative treatments, and medication.

Psychotherapy is a form of cognitive behavior therapy, which assists people to recognize and alter their thinking patterns. Other options include acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy, which are both specifically designed to help people with depression who are resistant to treatment.

Medication

The most commonly used and effective treatment for depression and anxiety for depression is medication. They are particularly effective in moderate or severe depression or when there is a risk of suicide. The medication can relieve symptoms quickly, and it can also prevent relapses.

Antidepressant drugs can be used to treat depression. The most common antidepressant is fluoxetine (Prozac). It is taken by mouth as a tablet and has been around a long time. Sertraline (Zoloft) is a citalopram derivative and other newer medications could be more effective and have less side effects.

For severe depression, talk therapy is often paired with medication. Psychotherapy is designed to help you recognize your depression and help you learn how to cope with it. It can be done by yourself with a health professional or with a group of patients in groups. Two kinds of talk therapy that have been proven to help are cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.

Meditation, exercise and light therapy are other treatments for depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is treated using the use of a light box that mimics bright sunlight. It can also be used to treat chronic depression disorder in bipolar disorders.

Your doctor could also prescribe medication that treats a physical or mental condition, along with an antidepressant, to improve the effect. This is called augmentation. This can include mood stabilizers, antianxiety, thyroid hormone or antipsychotics.

If your depression isn't severe, your GP might suggest waiting a few days to see if the symptoms go away by themselves. This is known as "watchful waiting". But it's important to keep in contact with your GP and keep regular appointments so that they can monitor your progress.

Some people with post stroke depression treatment may benefit from other treatments such as reflexology or energy healing which involves applying pressure to certain points on the body. Some patients experience relief through yoga or meditation. Others find comfort in prayer or chanting. If your depression is serious, or you're having thoughts of suicide, it's important to get treatment as soon as possible.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy, often referred to as psychotherapy, can help people learn to cope with their symptoms and comprehend why they are depressed. It may be used alone or in combination with medications. It is crucial to begin treatment immediately after you begin to notice symptoms and keep up with your sessions.

There are various types of psychotherapy. Each one is better for specific situations or clinical conditions. Individual therapy involves just you and your therapist, group therapy is for two or more people and family therapy can teach your loved ones how treat anxiety and depression to help you. Certain therapists specialize in specific areas, such as relationship issues or childhood trauma, and can offer specialized treatments that are best for you.

Certain types of psychotherapy include behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and psychotherapy that is interpersonal. Behavioral therapy can help you learn how to deal with depression and it can help change your behaviour patterns that aren't helpful. Cognitive therapy focuses on changing negative perceptions and destructive thinking patterns that cause depression. Interpersonal psychotherapy is short-term and is designed to address issues in relationships that are most closely linked to your depression.

Getting the right type of treatment for you could take some time and patience, but it's worth it in the end. It is also important to have a supportive system to help you stay to your treatment. Talk to trusted family or friends, join a depression support group or visit reputable self-help websites and books.

It's important that you see a doctor if you have serious medical condition, like an illness or injury. This will allow you to determine if your depression is caused by a physical issue. If there is, the condition will need to be treated before you can begin therapy. Combining medication with psychotherapy is the most effective method to treat depression. Remember that all treatments for depression can require time. You may also experience highs and lows throughout the course of treatment. If you stick to your plan, you'll be able to beat depression.

Light therapy

A sitting position in front of a light box or special lamp that emits bright sunlight is called light therapy. It's a popular treatment for people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It mimics natural light, which can boost mood and energy. Light therapy has also been found to improve sleep problems that are frequently linked to depression. Light therapy is thought to be effective by altering the circadian rhythms of the brain and boosting serotonin. It's also possible that it has a positive influence on the levels of other hormones, such as melatonin. It is released in sleep.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that SAD be treated in the same way as other forms of depression. This can include talking therapies like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as antidepressants, and light therapy. It's most effective if started at the beginning of winter, before symptoms appear and continued until spring.

A recent study of the use of light therapy in the treatment of SAD has found that the majority of patients who utilized it reached remission, using strict criteria for determining. The results included a decrease in symptoms using an established scale that is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - SAD version. The study also revealed that the treatment was safe and well-tolerated.

Be aware that light therapy is not a panacea for SAD. You should still consult with a physician for advice. It's also important to remain active, eat healthy meals and sleep enough, and to try to lessen stress.

In addition to light therapy, antidepressants have also been shown to be effective in treating SAD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most frequently prescribed type of antidepressant used to treat SAD and can improve your mood in just several weeks. They can have side effects such as a dry mouth nausea, diarrhoea, nausea or constipation, but these typically pass quickly.

Some people discover that light therapy does not improve their symptoms, or they suffer uncomfortable side-effects, like eye strain, headaches or agitation. Other side effects include irritation to the skin. These side effects can be minimized by adjusting treatment duration, time of day, or product used.

Alternative or complementary therapies

Taking prescription medication is a typical treatment option for depression but it's not the best choice for all. If a treatment isn't working or causes unacceptably adverse side effects, it could be time to explore an alternative or complementary therapy. These treatments concentrate on your physical and mental health and can relieve depression symptoms such as anxiety and chronic pain.

Acupuncture involves inserting needles into various body parts, like your ears, hands or feet. It can help with a variety of symptoms including insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It has been proven to work as well as antidepressants but does not have the same adverse effects.

Meditation mindfulness: This kind of practice focuses on learning how to observe your thoughts actions, feelings and thoughts without judgement. It can help you feel in control of your emotions. You can do it on your own or with a trained therapist.

Yoga: This form of exercise can help reduce stress and depression. It also improves your breathing and gives you a feeling of well-being.

Massage: It is calming. Deep-tissue massages are good for anxiety, muscle tension and depression. Aromatherapy: Inhaling the aroma of essential oils can ease a depressed mood.

Energy healing techniques like reiki yoga, and tai chi. They are based on the belief that illness is caused by energy blockages.

Exercise: Swimming, walking or any other type of exercise has been proven to help combat depression Treatment centres. A recent study showed that 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week helped reduce the symptoms of depression.

Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), an epoch-making therapy that relies on repeated exposure to a distressing memory to help the mind process it. It has been demonstrated to be very effective for PTSD however it requires more research into its effectiveness for depression.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has examined the evidence for a number of CAM treatments for depression, such as bright light therapy and acupuncture. The reviews were brief and some were limited like a small number of trials and small sample sizes. The Royal College of Psychiatrists does not recommend any CAM treatment for depression.