Guidelines For Treating Depression
The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have released a number of guidelines for treating depression. They generally recommend using psychotherapy, exercise and antidepressant medications.
The guidelines generally recommend using CBT or an SGA prior to starting medications and gradually increasing dosages according to the need. Patients who are not responding to monotherapy could be able to benefit from augmentation with psychostimulants, lithium or SSRIs.
1. Diagnosis
A diagnosis is the first step towards treating depression. This can be done by having a conversation with a mental health professional or a doctor, and certain types of talk therapy.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and how they've affected your life in the last month. They'll also inquire whether you've ever had thoughts of self-harming or contemplating suicide. Your GP will also examine your general health, family history, and life style to determine if you have depression or another mental health problem.
You must be honest and open with your doctor so they get a full picture of how you're feeling. This will help them identify the signs of depression. They can then use these symptoms to rule out other conditions, such as heart disease or cancer, which may cause similar symptoms.
After your GP has concluded that you may have depression, they'll rule out other illnesses by conducting tests. For instance blood tests can test for anemia or thyroid problems which could be the cause of your depression. They can also test your blood to check for vitamin deficiencies or alcohol or drugs that mimic depression.
If your GP finds that you have depression, they'll tell you what's causing it and the best approach to manage it. This could involve psychotherapy or a combination of treatments and medications. 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 could take a few weeks for them to start working. These medications can also cause side effects such as constipation and dry mouth.
2. Medication
The use of medications can benefit many with depression. Your doctor may initially prescribe one or more antidepressants. If the initial treatment fails to produce a satisfactory response Your doctor might suggest that you try another medication or alter the dosage or time of day you take it. To get the most out of your medication, it is important to take it regularly. You should never stop taking your medication unless you are told to do so by your physician.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be given a prescription for an antidepressant that is general in nature or an SSRI. An SSRI is an antidepressant that raises the levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa), 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).
If your doctor believes that tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs or SNRIs, they could prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs may be used safely by adolescents and children.
It is important to inform your doctor if you have any allergies or health problems before starting medication. Some medications can cause side effects such as an dry mouth or stomach upset. These side effects are generally mild and will resolve within around a week. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are taking medication.
Certain depression-related symptoms such as restlessness and difficulty sleeping, can be aggravated by alcohol or other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided, as they can make depression more difficult to manage. 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 to deal with issues that are contributing to your depression. This type of treatment may be long-term, but it has been proven to be effective for a lot of people suffering from depression. Psychotherapy can be done in a variety of settings such as private therapists’ clinics, hospitals, offices for psychiatry and rehabilitation facilities. It is typically one-on-one, but group therapy is also possible.
Your therapist will inquire about your feelings, behaviors and relationships, and will discuss them with you in a safe and private environment. During the first few sessions your therapist will begin to know you and suggest a treatment plan. This may include medication, psychotherapy, exercises and other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Some are short-term and they focus on specific issues. For example, interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people to understand the root causes of problems, such as unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. Depression can be triggered by a variety of reasons, from stress and loss to unresolved traumas or abuse. This may require more intensive therapy or other treatments.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change patterns of thinking that contribute to their symptoms and improve coping skills so they can cope with the stresses of life and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) blends CBT elements with mindfulness techniques to allow you to accept and be aware of your emotions.
Psychological treatment can often be more effective than antidepressants in treating depression that is acute. However, it may take longer to work and not everyone responds in the same way. It is important to be present at your therapy sessions and to do your homework between sessions (like journaling or meditation).
4. Counseling
Whether your depression symptoms are mild or severe, it's important to find treatment that helps. This could include counseling or psychological therapy. A professional outside of your life helping with your issues could be life-changing. It could take a number of counselors to find the one who resonates with you. However, it's worth the effort.
There are www.iampsychiatry.com of psychotherapy. However, the majority involve discussing your concerns and finding strategies to combat depression. It can also be helpful to discuss your experiences with a group of people who have similar issues. Group counseling is available at hospitals, medical clinics, therapists' offices, and even via your phone through online telehealth services.
Counseling for depression is aimed at transforming negative thoughts and behavior that can contribute to the disorder. For instance, a therapist might coach you on ways to manage stress to improve your mood. You could learn to recognize irrational thought patterns and challenge the preconceived notions that make you feel down. It is possible to use EMDR to release painful or traumatic experiences that could contribute to depression.
Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are utilized to help you understand your patterns of behavior and make changes. For instance, behavioural therapy can be beneficial when depression makes you stop social activities. The aim is to encourage you to participate in more social activities and to understand the way your actions impact your mood. These methods are typically used as a complement to medication. Ask your doctor for a referral or call a local community mental health center to locate a therapist who is certified.
5. Exercise
Exercise is a well-established method to prevent and treat depression. However, it's not widely considered a treatment of choice in the same way as psychotherapy and medication being the most popular. However, a growing body research suggests that exercising can be as effective in treating depression as talking therapies and antidepressants, perhaps even better.
A meta-analysis of over 150 studies showed that it was more efficient than drugs or psychotherapy by themselves. The study found that those who exercised for depression noticed their symptoms improving by an average of five points on one scale and 6.5 points on another that is crucial to clinical research. The effects were the same whether they exercised a few minutes or an hour each day.
Exercise is an excellent alternative to psychotherapy or medications, which are not suitable for all. Additionally, it comes with the bonus of keeping us physically healthy and helping to ward off other mental health issues like anxiety.
Exercise isn't stigmatized as drugs or talk therapy. It's accessible to everyone, comes with no expenses and is a very empowering approach.
However, it's still difficult to research the effects of exercise on a person due to the fact that it's difficult to determine the impact of factors such as how often people exercise regularly and other medications they are taking. More research is needed 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 for their patients as part of their treatment plan. The "green prescription" is a program that aims to encourage patients to get active by contacting a fitness professional regularly via phone or face-to-face.