Guidelines For Treating Depression

The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have issued a variety of guidelines to treat depression. They recommend psychotherapy, exercise and antidepressant medications.

The guidelines suggest that patients who don't respond to monotherapy should use CBT or SGA prior to starting medication and then increase dosages as needed. Patients who do not respond to monotherapy might benefit from augmentation using lithium, psychostimulants or SSRIs.

1. Diagnosis

A diagnosis is the first step in treating depression. This involves a discussion with your physician or mental health professional, and some kinds of psychotherapy (talk therapy).

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life over the last month. They'll also ask whether you've ever had thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Your GP will also examine your general health, family history and lifestyle to determine if you suffer from depression or another mental health problem.

It's important to be open and honest with your GP, so they can get the most precise picture of what's going on for you. This will help them identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other illnesses like heart disease.

Once your GP has determined that you may have depression, they'll rule out the possibility of other ailments by conducting tests. Blood tests, for instance tests for thyroid or anemia issues that could be causing depression. They will also examine your blood to look for deficiencies in vitamins or alcohol or drugs that mimic depression.

If your GP determines that you suffer from depression, they'll explain what's causing it and the best method to treat it. This might include psychotherapy or an array of treatments and medications. Antidepressants are the most effective medications to treat bipolar depression treatment. They work by altering the balance of chemical substances within the brain. They can be taken orally or by injection and it could take a few weeks for them to start working. These medications can also cause side effects such as dry mouth and constipation.

2. Medication

The use of medications can benefit many who suffer from depression. Initially, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or a combination of them. If the initial treatment does not produce a satisfactory result your doctor might suggest you try a different medication or to alter the dosage or time that you take it. Taking medication regularly is important to get the most benefit. Don't stop taking your medication without a doctor's permission.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you could be given a prescription for an antidepressant that is general in nature or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the level of serotonin, which is a chemical found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa) as well as escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR or Khedezla).

Other antidepressants, like tetracyclics can be prescribed if your doctor thinks that these medications would be more efficient than an SSRI or an SNRI. SSRIs and SNRIs are generally considered safe to use in children and adolescents.

Before taking any medication, inform your doctor if there are any health issues or allergies. Some medications can cause side effects like stomach upset or dry mouth. In general, they are minor and go away on their own within one or two weeks. If you're taking medication, don't drive or operate machines until you feel calm and clear.

Certain symptoms of depression such as restlessness and trouble sleeping, may be made worse by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided since they can make depression more difficult to treat. If you continue to use them, particularly for a prolonged period of time, could cause more serious issues.

3. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can assist you address issues that are contributing to depression. This type of treatment may be long-term, but it has been proven effective for many people with depression. Psychotherapy can be found in a variety of settings that include private therapy offices and hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually conducted one-onone but group therapy is also a possibility.

Your therapist will ask questions about your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, and discuss these with you in a private and confidential environment. In the first session, your therapist gets to know you better and will recommend a treatment program. This could include psychotherapy, medications exercise and activity, or 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 comprehend the root issues, such as unresolved grievances or conflicts with other people. Depression can be caused by 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) assists people in changing patterns of thinking that cause their symptoms and improve resilience skills to help them manage life's stress and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines CBT elements with mindfulness techniques that allow you to accept and be aware of your emotions.

psychological treatment for depression treatments can be as effective as antidepressants when treating depression that is acute. However, it takes longer to work, and not everyone responds in the same way. It's important to continue attending therapy sessions and do your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions.

4. Counseling

It is essential to find a treatment that works, whether your depression symptoms are mild. It is often counseling or psychological therapy. A professional outside of your life helping with your issues can have a profound impact on your life. It may take several therapy sessions to find one who is a good fit for you. But it is worth the effort.

There are a myriad of forms of psychotherapy, however the majority involve discussing your problems and developing new strategies to deal with the depression treatment without medication. It can also be helpful to talk about your experiences with other people who are going through similar issues. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals and therapists' offices. It can also be carried out over the phone via online health services via telehealth.

Counseling for depression is aimed to change negative thoughts and behaviors which can contribute to the disorder. For instance, a therapist might coach you on ways to manage stress to improve your mood. You might be taught to recognize thoughts that are not rational and question preconceptions that make you feel depressed. You could try EMDR (eye movement desensitization and processing) to help you get rid of painful or traumatic memories that may contribute to depression.

Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation therapy, can be used to help you recognize and change your behavior patterns. For example, behavioural activation therapy is helpful when depression causes you to withdraw from social activities. The goal is to promote more social interaction and to discover the ways your actions impact your mood. Generally, these approaches are utilized in conjunction with medication. You can find a licensed therapist in your area by asking your doctor to refer you or by calling a mental health center in your community.

5. Exercise

The benefits of exercise in the prevention and treatment of depression are well-established. But it's rarely considered a core treatment as psychotherapy and medication being the most popular. However, a growing body of research suggests that exercise may be as effective at treating depression treatment no medication as talking therapies and antidepressants, and perhaps even better.

A meta-analysis of more than 150 studies found that it was more effective than psychotherapy or drugs alone. The study found that those who exercised for depression saw their symptoms improve by five points on average on one measure and 6.5 points on another which is clinically significant. The results were similar whether they exercised only a few minutes or an hour per day.

Exercise can also be an excellent alternative to medications or psychotherapy, but it may not be appropriate for everyone. Exercise also helps to keep us physically fit and can aid in preventing mental health issues like anxiety.

Exercise is not stigmatized like the use of drugs or therapy. Exercise is accessible to everyone, comes with few costs and can be a empowering approach.

But it's still a challenge to study exercise as a medicine due to the fact that it's difficult to control for things like how much people exercise regularly and other medications they are taking. Further research is required to determine the best kind, frequency and duration of exercise to treat and combating depression. And to help with that, GPs and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercise to their patients as a part of their treatment plan. The "green prescription" is a program that encourages patients to get active by contacting a fitness expert frequently via phone or face-to-face.