12 Companies Leading The Way In Effective Depression Treatment

What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment?

The best treatment for depression varies from one person to another. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.

You may need to test various antidepressants before finding one that is effective. It is possible to combine psychotherapy and antidepressants, or with a medication that treats another physical or mental condition like an anxiety medication, a thyroid hormone or mood stabilizer.

Medication

Medication is a very effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that are involved in mood. They also help reduce the frequency of symptoms of depression. But, it's crucial to take these medications as recommended by your doctor. If you don't, they won't be effective.

Doctors recommend beginning with a selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, escitalopram and citalopram paroxetine, sertraline Zoloft, or vilazodone. These drugs have been shown to be more effective than placebo in numerous clinical trials. These medications can cause serious adverse effects. It is essential to consult your doctor prior to taking or stopping one of these medicines.

You might need to test several antidepressants before you can find the one that works best for you. You may also have to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments. For some patients with a severe or life-threatening form of depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a possibility. The procedure utilizes electric impulses to induce controlled seizures in the brain. It is efficient in treating depression quickly and is best for those who have not been able to respond to other treatments.

The results of a recent study suggest that a form of ECT known as high-frequency ECT could be as effective or better than conventional ECT for treating depressive disorders. Researchers compared HFECT with standard ECT on 23 patients with a history of treatment resistant depression. All patients had tried other treatments for depression like psychotherapy and physical exercise. Researchers found that HFECT significantly reduced depression symptoms, and also had fewer side-effects than ECT.

Light therapy is another option for treating seasonal affective disorder. This involves sitting in front of the bright light for approximately half an hour each day. A lamp or light box is available for use at home. Certain health insurance plans, Employee Assistance Programs and churches offer light therapy. Healthy eating, exercise, and adequate sleep are all suggested. It's also important to stay clear of recreational drugs and alcohol, as they can worsen depression.

Psychotherapy

Depression can drain your energy, making it hard to handle the daily chores. But the good news is that if you seek help your chances of recovery are high. A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can provide relief for depressed individuals.

In therapy, therapists listen without judgement and assist you in examining your feelings and issues in a safe, supportive setting. They also teach you how to cope and encourage self-awareness that can help improve your mental health.

There are a variety of psychotherapy available to treat depression. Cognitive therapy is one type that helps you identify negative thinking patterns and develop healthy strategies to handle difficult emotions. Behavioral therapy can change unhealthy patterns of behavior by helping you build efficient problem-solving skills as well as reduce stress and improve interpersonal relationships. Other treatments, such as dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, are frequently used to address the root causes that can cause depression, such as self-injury behavior and persistent suicidal thoughts.

Psychotherapy can be a useful option for people suffering from recurring depression, who have not responded to medication or who are not able to take antidepressants due to health reasons or allergies. In some cases, a psychiatrist may recommend an alternative or complementary treatment refractory depression for depression like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which makes use of a treatment coil that is placed on the scalp to transmit short magnetic pulses that alter the functioning and effects of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Psychotherapy can help family members and friends suffering from depression to cope with depression. Families or couples who have a member who is depressed may be advised to go through therapy for their families. It can help reduce tension and stress between family members and provide them with the tools to support their loved ones in a healthy manner. In addition, a qualified therapist can guide them on how to help their loved one overcome depression.

Exercise

Exercise is a cheap and safe method of treating anxiety and depression. It alters the levels of chemicals in the brain, improves balance and flexibility boosts energy and decreases stress. It can also improve your sleep and boost your self-esteem. Before starting a new exercise routine or increasing your intensity, it's essential to consult your doctor.

In large-scale studies, both men and women who are active suffer from depression at a lower rate than those who are sedentary. It's difficult to determine if exercise can treat depression that already exists. You have to look into it just like any other medicine by randomly assigning patients with depression to exercise or a group that is a control and carefully recording the results.

The most comprehensive study on physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it works at a minimum as well as standard medications and psychotherapy. The study gathered data from 41 trials that involved 2,265 participants. It found that almost any kind of exercise can decrease depression symptoms, although some forms are more efficient than others. Walking or jogging was the most effective exercise, followed by strength and yoga. And the benefits increased with intensity, indicating that even mild exercise is better than no exercise at all.

Researchers believe there are many reasons why exercise helps with depression. Exercise can increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. It also boosts certain chemicals like dopamine and seratonin. Other factors include the social support that comes from exercise in a group, and the psychological motivation to keep working out.

People tend to cut back or restrict their activities when depressed, but doctors recommend trying to resume those things as soon as is possible. They can help you find satisfaction and pleasure. This is vital in beating depression. Being involved in activities you love can give your life meaning and a sense of significance.

If you're not sure what to do, you can try your local gym or a group fitness class. If you suffer from an injury or physical impairment, talk to your doctor about the best exercises. For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has a guide for depression and exercise, and Beyond Blue offers a template to help you plan your activities.

Alternative or complementary therapies

A variety of alternative or "natural" therapies are used to treat mental health issues. These include herbal treatments and massage. These treatments aren't research-based and could cause side consequences. They may also interfere with other medications, which is why it is recommended to only make use of them with the permission of their doctor or therapist.

Cancer Council does not recommend these treatments because there is little research done on their effectiveness. Some have been marketed as "cancer cures" but they are not proven and could cause distress or harm to some people, especially when they attempt to substitute medical treatment.

The most effective depression treatment typically consists of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is a term used for talking about your concerns with a trained professional such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Certain types of psychological therapy are more specific to depression than others, but most will aid you in understanding your condition and discover new ways to deal with it. These include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of changing negative evaluations and thought patterns that cause depression to worsen. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on your relationships and how you interact. Couples and family therapy can help improve communication in your relationships.

There are many different types of therapy, such as sessions on the internet and computer programs. These are often less expensive than face-to-face sessions and may be beneficial for some individuals. They aren't suitable for all, and a few aren't covered by insurance. Ask your therapist about their experience with these programs and whether one might be right for you.

During a conversation with you the doctor, they will review the medicines you are taking, including herbal depression treatments supplements and over-the-counter medicines to determine how to treat depression and anxiety without medication they affect your depression. They will also assess if you have any physical health conditions that can sometimes be associated with depression, like chronic pain or thyroid illness. They will also consider if another mental health condition like bipolar disorder or personality disorders could be a cause of your depression.