Guidelines For Treating Depression

There are many different guidelines for treating depression that have been published by the APA, CANMAT, BAP, NICE, and Texas Medication Algorithm Project. They recommend psychotherapy, exercise and antidepressant drugs.

Generally, the guidelines recommend using CBT or an SGA prior to starting medications and gradually increasing dosages as needed. Patients who do not respond to monotherapy might benefit from augmentation with psychostimulants, lithium, or SSRIs.

1. Diagnosis

The first step to treat of depression is to get the diagnosis. This is done through a discussion with your doctor or mental health professional and some forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy).

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

It's important to be open and honest with your GP, so they can get the most accurate picture of what's happening for you. This will make it easier for them to recognize the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other diseases like cancer or heart disease.

If your GP determines that you be suffering from depression Treatment without medicines, he or will conduct tests to rule out other conditions. Blood tests, for instance test thyroid or anemia-related issues which could be the cause of depression. They'll also test your blood for deficiencies in vitamins or the presence of alcohol and drugs, which can also mimic depression.

If your GP finds that you have depression, they'll discuss the reasons behind it and the best way to manage it. This could involve psychotherapy or an array of treatments and medications. Antidepressants are among the most effective medications to treat depression. They work by changing the balance of chemical substances within the brain. They can be administered either orally or via injections and can take up to some time before they start to work. They can also trigger adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation.

2. Medication

Many people can benefit from medication. Your doctor may first prescribe a medication or a combination of antidepressants. If the initial treatment fails to yield a satisfactory result, your doctor may recommend that you try another medication or that you change the dose or duration at which you take it. Regularly taking your medication is essential to get the most benefit. You should never stop taking your medication unless told to do so by your doctor.

Based on the severity of your symptoms, you may be given a prescription for a general antidepressant or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the amount of serotonin, a chemical that is found in the brain. SSRIs include escitalopram, citalopram, and fluoxetine. 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 tetracyclics are more efficient than SSRIs or SNRIs, they could prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs may be used safely by adolescents and children.

It is recommended to inform your doctor if you have any allergies or health issues prior to taking any medications. Some medications can trigger side effects such as an upset stomach or a dry mouth. These side effects are generally minor and will disappear on their own within about a week. If you're taking medication do not 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 not be used as they can make depression harder to treat. In the long run, using them especially for an extended period of time, could lead to more serious problems.

3. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can assist you in dealing with issues that contribute to depression. This type of treatment can be long-term, but it has been proven to be effective for a lot of people suffering from depression. Psychotherapy can be carried out in a variety of settings like private therapists' offices, hospitals, clinics for rehabilitation and psychiatry facilities. It is usually done one-on-one but group therapy is also a possibility.

Your therapist will inquire about your feelings, behaviors and relationships, and discuss these with you in a private and confidential environment. During the initial sessions, your therapist gets to know you better and recommends the best treatment program. This could include psychotherapy, medication, activity and exercises or other treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ect for treatment resistant depression).

Some of them are temporary and focus on specific problems. Interpersonal therapy (IPT), for example helps people comprehend the root issues, such as unresolved grievances or conflicts with others. Depression can be caused in various ways, ranging from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. This may require more intensive therapy or other treatments.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive restructuring, aids people to alter their thinking patterns, which cause symptoms. It also helps improve coping skills and helps them to manage the stress and tensions of life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) blends CBT elements with mindfulness techniques that help you accept and observe your emotions.

Psychotherapy can often reduce the severity of acute moderate to severe depression just as antidepressants can. It can take a bit longer for it to work and not everyone will respond in the same way. It is essential to attend your therapy sessions as well as to do your homework between sessions (like journaling or meditation).

4. Counseling

If your symptoms of depression are mild or severe it's crucial to find treatments that help. Often, that includes psychotherapy or counseling. Having an outside expert help with your issues can be life-changing. You may have to test different therapists before you discover one who resonates with you however, the effort is worth it.

There are a variety of psychotherapy. However the majority of them involve talking about your issues and learning strategies to deal with depression. It can also be helpful to talk about your experiences with other people who are going through similar problems. Group counseling is available at medical clinics, hospitals and therapists' offices and even via your phone using online telehealth services.

Counseling for depression seeks to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that cause depression. For example, a therapist may guide you on how to manage stress so that your mood improves. You might be taught to recognize thoughts that are not rational and challenge preconceptions that make you feel depressed. You can utilize EMDR to help release painful or traumatic memories that could be contributing to depression.

Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are used to help you understand your behavior patterns and make adjustments. For instance, behavioural therapy can be beneficial when depression makes you stop social activities. The aim is to encourage more social interaction and to determine the holistic ways to treat depression your actions impact your mood. Generally, these methods are utilized together with medication. You can locate a certified therapist in your area by asking your doctor to refer you or calling a community mental health center.

5. Exercise

The benefits of exercising for preventing and treating depression are well-established. However, it's not widely considered a treatment of choice as psychotherapy and medication being the most popular. However, a growing body of research suggests that exercise can be as effective in treating depression as psychotherapy and antidepressants, and perhaps even more effective.

A meta-analysis of over 150 studies showed that it was more effective than psychotherapy or drugs by themselves. The study found that, on average people with depression who exercised improved their symptoms by five points with one measure and 6.5 points using another which is clinically significant. The effects were powerful regardless of whether they exercised for only few minutes per day, or for more than an hour per day.

Exercise can also be an excellent alternative to medications or psychotherapy, but it may not be suitable for everyone. And it has the added bonus of keeping us physically fit and helping to ward off other mental health issues, including anxiety.

Exercise isn't stigmatized as drugs or talk therapy. It's available to everyone, comes with no costs attached and can be a very empowering approach.

It's difficult to study exercise as a medicine because it can be difficult for researchers to control variables like how much people exercise regularly and any other medications that they may be taking. Further research is required to determine the most effective type, frequency, and duration of exercise for treating and combating depression treatment without medication. To aid in that, doctors and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercise to their patients as a part of their treatment plan. The 'green prescription,' is a program designed to encourage patients to be active by contacting a fitness expert regularly by phone or face-toface.