Guidelines For Treating Depression

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

The guidelines suggest that patients who don't respond to monotherapy, use CBT or SGA prior to beginning treatment and increase dosages if needed. The addition of psychostimulants, lithium, SSRIs and SNRIs, as well as TMAPs could be beneficial for patients who are not responding to monotherapy.

1. Diagnosis

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

Your GP will inquire about your symptoms and how they've impacted your life over the past month. They'll also ask whether you've had any thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP will also take a look at your general health, family history, and lifestyle to help decide whether you suffer from depression or another mental health condition.

It's essential to be open and honest with your GP to help them get the most accurate picture of what's happening for you. This will allow them to identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other diseases like heart disease.

Once your GP has decided that you may be suffering from depression, they'll rule out the possibility of other conditions through tests. For instance blood tests can test for thyroid issues or anemia that could be the cause of your depression. They will also test your blood to look for deficiencies in vitamins, alcohol and drugs that cause depression.

If your GP determines that you are depressed, he or she will discuss the reasons and best holistic treatment for anxiety and depression options. This could involve psychotherapy or the combination of therapies and medication. The most effective medications for depression are antidepressants which alter the balance of chemicals within the brain. They can be taken orally or by injection and it can take several weeks before they begin working. These drugs can also have adverse effects, such as constipation and dry mouth.

2. Medication

Many people can benefit from medication. who suffer from depression. Your doctor may first prescribe a medication or a combination of antidepressants. If the initial drug treatment for depression fails to provide a satisfactory outcome, your doctor may recommend that you try another medication or to alter the dosage or time that you take it. To get the most benefit of your medication, it's essential to take it regularly. Don't stop taking your medication without doctor's approval.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be prescribed an antidepressant that is general in nature or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the amount of serotonin, which is a chemical found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa) and the 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, such as tetracyclics can be prescribed if your physician believes that these medications would be more effective than an SSRI or SNRI. SSRIs and SNRIs are generally considered safe to use in children and adolescents.

It is recommended to let your doctor know whether you suffer from any allergies or health problems before starting medications. The medication may cause side effects, such as an upset stomach or a dry mouth. These side effects are typically minor and will disappear by themselves in around a week. If you're taking medication avoid driving or operating machines until you feel calm and clear.

Certain depression-related symptoms like restlessness or trouble sleeping, may be worsened by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should not be used because they can make depression difficult to manage. Continuing to use them, especially for prolonged periods of time, can also result in more serious problems.

3. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can assist you in dealing with issues that contribute to your depression. This kind of treatment is a long-term one, but has been shown to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be done in a variety of settings like private therapists' clinics, hospitals, offices for rehabilitation and psychiatry facilities. It is typically one-on-one, but group therapy is also a possibility.

Your therapist will ask about your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, and will discuss them with you in a private and private environment. In the initial few sessions your therapist will get to know you better and recommend a treatment plan. This may include psychotherapy, medication, exercise and other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ect treatment For depression).

Some of them are temporary and focus on specific problems. For example the interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people to understand underlying problems such as conflicting feelings or grieving over significant others. Depression can be caused in many ways, from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. These may require longer-term therapy and other treatments.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive restructuring, aids people change their thinking patterns that trigger symptoms. It also helps improve resilience and helps people deal with the stresses and tensions of life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a combination of CBT elements with mindfulness techniques that help you accept and observe your emotions.

Psychological treatment can often be as effective as antidepressants when treating acute depression. However, it takes longer to effect results and not everyone responds to it in the same way. It's important to continue to attend therapy sessions and complete your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions.

4. Counseling

It is crucial to find an effective treatment regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are not severe. Most often, this means psychological therapy or counseling. Having an outside expert help with your emotions can be life-changing. It may be necessary to try different therapists before you discover one who resonates with you, but the effort is worth it.

There are a variety of psychotherapy. However most involve discussing your problems and learning strategies to deal with depression. It can also be beneficial to share your experiences with a group of others who are experiencing similar issues. Group counseling is available at hospitals, medical clinics and therapists' offices and even via your phone through online health services via telehealth.

Counseling for depression is aimed at changing negative thoughts and behaviors which contribute to the condition. A therapist could help, for instance, instruct you on how to manage stress in order to improve your mood. You may learn to recognize irrational thoughts and question preconceptions that make you feel depressed. You can try EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to relieve traumatizing or painful memories that might be contributing to your depression.

Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are used to help you identify your behavior patterns and make changes. 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 identify the ways in which your actions impact your mood. Generally, these methods are utilized together with medication. Ask your doctor for a referral, or call the local mental health center in your community to find a qualified therapist.

5. Exercise

Exercise is a proven method to treat and prevent moderate depression treatment. It's not a standard treatment. Psychotherapy and medication are more commonly utilized. Research that is growing suggests that exercise is just as effective as antidepressants and talking treatments for treating depression.

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

Exercise is also an excellent alternative to medications or psychotherapy, but it may not be suitable for all. And it has the added benefit of keeping us physically healthy and helping to ward off other mental health issues like anxiety.

Additionally exercising doesn't come with the stigma associated with using drugs or attending therapy. It's available to everyone, comes with no expenses and is a very empowering approach.

But it's still a challenge to study exercise as a medicine due to the fact that it's difficult to determine the impact of factors like how much people normally exercise and other medications they may be taking. Further research is required to determine the best kind, frequency and duration of exercise to treat and preventing depression. To help patients with depression, GPs are prescribing exercise as a part of their treatment plans. The 'green prescription,' is a program that encourages patients to be active by contacting a fitness expert regularly via phone or face-to-face.