Guidelines For Treating Depression

The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have published several guidelines for treating depression. They recommend psychotherapy, exercise and antidepressant medications.

In general, the guidelines suggest the use of CBT or an SGA prior to starting medications and titrate up dosages according to the need. The addition of lithium treatment for depression, psychostimulants, SSRIs or SNRIs or TMAPs could be beneficial for patients who are not responding to monotherapy.

1. Diagnosis

A diagnosis is the first step in treating depression. This can be done by having a conversation with a mental health professional or a doctor, and some forms of talk therapy.

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and how they've affected your life in the last month. They'll also ask whether you've ever had thoughts of self-harming or contemplating suicide. Your GP may also consider your general health lifestyle, family background and personal history when determining whether you have situational depression treatment.

You should be honest and open with your doctor so they get a full picture of how you're feeling. This will help them to identify the signs of depression. They can then utilize these symptoms to rule out other diseases like cancer or heart disease which can cause similar symptoms.

After your GP determines that you might be suffering from depression, he or she will run tests to rule out any other issues. Blood tests, for example test thyroid or anemia problems which could be the cause of depression. They can also test your blood for deficiencies in vitamins or the presence of drugs and alcohol which may also be a sign of depression.

If your GP finds that you have depression, they'll discuss the root of the problem and the best method to manage it. This could include psychotherapy or a combination of therapies and medication. The most effective drugs for depression are antidepressants that work by altering the balance of chemicals in the brain. They can be administered orally or via injections, and it may take several weeks for them to start working. These drugs can also have adverse effects, such as constipation and dry mouth.

2. Medication

Many people can benefit from taking medication. At first, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or a combination of them. If initial treatment doesn't produce a satisfactory response Your doctor may suggest that you try another medication or alter the dosage or time of day that you take it. To get the most benefits of your medication, it's essential to take it regularly. You should never stop taking your medication unless you are instructed to take it off by your physician.

Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing the general antidepressant might be prescribed or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the level of serotonin, which is a chemical found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa), the 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).

If your doctor believes that tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs or SNRIs, they might prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs can be used safely by adolescents and children.

Before taking any medication, it is important to inform your doctor if there are any health issues or allergies. Medication can cause side effects like an upset stomach or dry mouth. These side effects are generally minor and will disappear on their own within a week or so. If you're taking a medication, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel alert and clearheaded.

Alcohol and other recreational drugs can worsen some depression symptoms, such as restlessness or difficulty sleeping. These substances are not recommended for use because they can make depression difficult to manage. In the long run, using them particularly for a prolonged period of time, can also cause more serious issues.

3. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) can assist you in dealing with issues that contribute to your depression. This type of treatment is long-term but has been shown to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be performed in many different settings, including private therapists' clinics, hospitals, offices for psychiatry, and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually done one-on-one but group therapy is possible.

Your therapist will ask questions about your emotions, behavior and relationships, and discuss these with you in a secure and confidential setting. In the initial sessions your therapist gets to know you better and recommends the best treatment program. This may include psychotherapy, medication, exercises and other treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Some of these are short-term and focus on specific problems. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) for instance, helps people understand underlying issues, such as unresolved grievances or conflicts with other people. Depression can manifest 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) helps people change patterns of thinking that contribute to their symptoms and enhances their coping skills so they can manage life's stress and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a combination of CBT elements with mindfulness techniques to assist you in recognizing and observing your emotions.

Psychological treatment can often be as effective as antidepressants when treating acute depression. However, it takes longer to take effect and not everyone responds to it in the same way. It is essential to keep attending therapy sessions and do your homework (like journaling or meditative) between sessions.

4. Counseling

It is crucial to find a treatment that works, regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are not severe. Often, that includes psychological therapy or counseling. A professional outside of your life helping with your feelings can have a profound impact on your life. It may take several therapists to find the one who resonates with you. It's worth the effort.

There are many types of psychotherapy. However most involve talking about your issues and finding strategies to combat depression. You may also find it beneficial to discuss your experiences with other people who are going through similar issues. Group counseling is offered at hospitals, medical clinics, therapists' offices, and even via your phone using online health services via telehealth.

Counseling for depression is aimed at changing negative thoughts and behavior that can contribute to the disorder. For example, a therapist may coach you on ways to manage stress to improve your mood. You might learn how long does depression treatment last to recognize irrational thoughts and question preconceptions that make you feel down. You could try EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to ease the burden of traumatizing or painful memories that may contribute to your bipolar depression treatment.

Other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation can be used to help you understand your patterns of behavior and make changes. For example, behavioural activation therapy is useful when depression leads you to avoid social activities. The aim is to encourage you to participate in more social activities and to determine how your actions influence your mood. These strategies are usually employed in conjunction medication. You can locate a certified psychotherapist in your region by asking your physician to refer you, or by calling a community mental health center.

5. Exercise

The benefits of exercise in the prevention and treatment of depression are well-established. But it's not generally considered a treatment of choice in the same way as psychotherapy and medication being the most popular. An increasing amount of research suggests exercise is as effective as antidepressants and other talking treatments for treating depression.

In fact, it's more effective than either psychotherapy or drugs to treat depression and anxiety by itself according to a meta-analysis of over 150 studies. The research revealed that on average, those with depression who exercised improved their symptoms by five points using one measure and 6.5 points with another, which is clinically significant. The effects were powerful regardless of whether they exercised for only an hour or so, or more than an hour a day.

Exercise is a great alternative to psychotherapy or medication, which are not suitable for all. Additionally, it comes with the bonus of keeping us physically fit and preventing other mental health problems such as anxiety.

What's more, exercise doesn't have the stigma associated with using drugs or going to talk therapy. It's available to everyone, has no costs attached and can be an extremely empowering method.

But it's still a challenge to examine the effect of exercise as a medication due to the fact that it's difficult to monitor factors such as how often people typically exercise and the other medications they may be taking. So more research is needed to determine the most effective type, frequency and duration of exercise for preventing and treating depression. To help patients with depression, doctors are prescribing exercise as a part of their treatment plans. This is known as a "green prescription' and involves writing an exercise program in accordance with the needs of the patient and encouraging them to get active with regular face-to-face or phone contact with a fitness professional who is trained, such as an exercise physiotherapist or physical educator.