Guidelines For Treating Depression

The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have released a number of guidelines for treating depression. In general, they recommend psychotherapy, exercise, and antidepressant medication.

The guidelines recommend 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 are not responding to monotherapy might benefit from augmentation with psychostimulants, lithium, 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 forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy).

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and how they have affected your life over the past month. They'll also want to know whether you've ever had thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Your GP will also take into consideration your general health lifestyle, family background and personal history when determining whether you suffer from depression.

You must be honest and open with your doctor so that they get a complete picture of how you are feeling. This will make it easier for them to identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other diseases such as cancer or heart disease.

Once your GP has concluded that you may be suffering from depression and they'll rule out any other conditions by conducting tests. Blood tests, for example, can check thyroid or anemia problems which could be the cause of depression. They will also test your blood to check for deficiencies in vitamins, alcohol and substances that cause depression.

If your GP has diagnosed depression the doctor will explain the causes and the best treatment options. This could include psychotherapy, or a combination between therapy and medication. Antidepressants are among the most effective drugs to treat depression treatment options. They alter the balance of chemical substances within the brain. They can be taken orally or through injections, and may take some time before they begin to take effect. These medications can also cause negative side effects like constipation and dry mouth.

2. Medication

Many people can benefit from taking medication. Your doctor may first line Treatment for anxiety and depression prescribe a medication or a combination of antidepressants. If the initial treatment does not yield a satisfactory result your doctor might suggest you try a different medication or to alter the dosage or time that you take it. To get the most benefits of your medication, it's crucial to take it on a regular basis. You should not stop taking your medication unless advised to do so by your doctor.

Based on the severity of your symptoms, you could be prescribed a general antidepressant or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the amount of serotonin, which is a chemical found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. Examples of SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Khedezla).

Other antidepressants, including tetracyclics, may 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 for use by children and adolescents.

It is important to let your doctor know if you have any allergies or health issues prior to taking any medication. The medication can cause side effects, such as an dry mouth or stomach upset. In general, they are minor and will go away on their own in about two or three weeks. If you're taking a medication, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel relaxed and clearheaded.

Certain depression-related symptoms such as restlessness and trouble sleeping, may be aggravated by alcohol or other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided, as they can make depression more difficult to manage. Continuing to use them, especially for prolonged periods of time, can also lead to more serious problems.

3. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can help you to deal with issues that contribute to your depression. This kind of treatment is a long-term one, but has been proven to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be performed in a variety of settings such as private therapists’ offices, hospitals, clinics for psychiatry, and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually one-on-one however group therapy is also a possibility.

Your therapist will ask questions about your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, and will discuss them with you in a private and confidential environment. In the initial few sessions, your therapist will get to know you better and suggest a treatment program. This could include psychotherapy, medication as well as exercises and other treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT).

Some are short-term, and they concentrate on specific issues. Interpersonal therapy (IPT), for example, helps people understand underlying issues like unresolved grievances or conflicts with other people. Depression can be triggered by a range of factors including loss and stress to unresolved traumas or abuse. This may require therapy for a longer period and other treatments.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive restructuring, aids people to change their thinking patterns that trigger symptoms. It also enhances resilience and helps people deal with the stresses and tensions of life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines CBT elements with mindfulness techniques that allow you to accept and be aware of your emotions.

Sometimes, psychological treatment can ease acute moderate to severe depression just as antidepressants do. However, it can take longer to work and not everyone responds in the same way. It is essential to be present at your therapy sessions and to do your homework between sessions (like journaling or contemplating).

4. Counseling

It's important to find an effective treatment regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are mild. It is often counseling or psychological therapy. A professional outside can change your life. It might take a few therapists to find the one who resonates with you. It's worth the effort.

There are several types of psychotherapy. However, the majority involve talking about your issues and finding strategies to combat depression. It can also be beneficial to discuss your experiences with a group of others who are dealing with similar issues. Group counseling is available at hospitals, medical clinics and therapists' office. It can also be done on your phone through online health services via telehealth.

Counseling for depression aims to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to the disorder. For instance, a therapist could guide you on how to manage stress so that your mood improves. You can learn to recognize the irrational thoughts and challenge the preconceived notions that make you feel depressed. You can use EMDR to help release painful or traumatic memories that could be contributing to depression.

Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation can be used to help you understand your patterns of behavior and make changes. For example, behavioural therapy can be beneficial when depression causes you to avoid social activities. The goal is to encourage more social interaction and determine the ways your actions impact your mood. Generally, these approaches are used together with medication. You can find a licensed counselor in your area by asking your doctor to refer you, or by calling the community mental health center.

5. Exercise

Exercise is a well-established method to reduce and treat depression. It's not a common treatment. Psychotherapy and medications are more commonly used. However, a growing body of research suggests that exercise can be as effective in treating depression as talking therapies and antidepressants, or even better.

In fact, it's more effective than either psychotherapy or medication alone, according to a meta-analysis of more than 150 studies. The study revealed that people with depression who exercised experienced improvement in their symptoms by five points on one measure, and 6.5 points on another that is crucial to clinical research. And the results were significant regardless of whether they exercised for only few minutes per day or for more than an hour per day.

Exercise is an excellent alternative to psychotherapy and medication that aren't suitable for all. Exercise can help keep our bodies fit and aid in preventing other mental health issues, like anxiety.

Furthermore exercising doesn't carry the stigma associated living with treatment resistant depression taking drugs or going to therapy. It's open to everyone, has few costs attached and can be an extremely positive approach.

It's still hard to study the effects of exercise on health because it's difficult for researchers to control factors like how often people exercise normally and any other medications that they might be taking. Therefore, more research is required to understand the optimal amount, frequency, and duration of exercise to prevent and treating depression. To help patients with depression, doctors are prescribing more exercise as part of their natural treatment depression anxiety plans. It's referred to as a "green prescription' and it involves writing an exercise plan in accordance with the needs of the patient and encouraging them to be active with regular face-to-face or phone calls with a trained fitness professional such as an exercise physiotherapist or physical educator.