Guidelines For Treating Depression
The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have issued a variety of guidelines to treat depression. They generally recommend using exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.
In general, the guidelines suggest using CBT or an SGA prior to starting medications and titrate up dosages according to the need. The addition of psychostimulants, lithium, SSRIs and SNRIs, as well as TMAPs can be beneficial in patients who do not respond to monotherapy.
1. Diagnosis
The first step in the treatment of depression is obtaining a diagnosis. This involves a discussion with your physician or mental health professional, and certain types of psychotherapy (talk therapy).
Your GP will inquire about your symptoms, and how they have affected your life in the last month. They'll also ask whether you've ever had thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Your GP might also look at your general health as well as your family history and lifestyle when determining whether you suffer from depression.
It is essential to be honest and honest with your GP to help them get the most accurate picture of what's going on for you. This will enable them to identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other illnesses like heart disease.
When your GP determines that you be suffering from depression, he or they will run tests to rule out other conditions. For example, blood tests can check for thyroid issues or anemia that could be the cause of your depression. They'll also test your blood for deficiencies in vitamins or the presence of alcohol and drugs which may also be a sign of depression.
If your GP determines that you suffer from depression, they'll tell you what's causing it and the best method to manage it. This could involve psychotherapy, or a combination of therapy and medication. Antidepressants are among the most effective medications to treat depression. They alter the balance of chemical substances within the brain. These can be taken orally or through injections, and can take up to several weeks before they begin to work. These drugs can also have side effects such as constipation and dry mouth.
2. Medication
Many people can benefit from medication. suffering from depression. Initially, your doctor may prescribe one or more antidepressants. If the initial treatment does not yield a satisfactory result Your doctor may suggest you try a different medication or that you change the dosage or frequency at which you take it. Taking medication regularly is important to reap the maximum benefits. Don't stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.
Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing the general antidepressant might be prescribed or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the amount of serotonin, a chemical that is found in the brain. SSRIs include citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine. 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 or SNRIs may be used safely by adolescents and children.
Before you begin any medication, inform your doctor if you are any health or allergy issues. The medication can result in side effects like an dry mouth or stomach that is upset. In general, they are minor and will go away on their own in about two or three weeks. Avoid driving or operating machines if you're taking medication.
Alcohol and other recreational drugs can exacerbate depression symptoms like insomnia or restlessness. These substances should not be used as they can make depression more difficult to treat. If you continue to use them, especially for an extended period of time, could result in more serious problems.
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you deal with issues that are causing depression. This kind of treatment is long-lasting, but has been proven to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be carried out in a variety of settings, such as private therapists’ offices, hospitals, clinics for rehabilitation and psychiatry facilities. It is usually conducted one-onone but group therapy is also a possibility.
Your therapist will inquire about your feelings, behaviors and relationships, and will discuss these with you in a safe 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 as well as exercises and other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT).
Some of these are short-term and focus on specific issues. For instance the interpersonal therapy (IPT) assists people in understanding underlying problems such as conflicts over unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. Depression can be triggered by a variety of causes, from stress and loss to unresolved traumas or abuse. This may require more intensive therapy and other treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists people in changing patterns of thinking that contribute to their symptoms and enhances their resilience skills to help them cope with the stresses of life 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 treatments can be more effective than antidepressants in treating acute depression. However, it takes longer to effect results, and not everyone responds to it in the same way. It's important to keep attending therapy sessions and do your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions.
4. Counseling
It is crucial to find an effective treatment regardless of whether your symptoms of depression are not severe. It is often counseling or psychological therapy. A professional outside of your life helping with your issues could be life-changing. It could take a number of therapists to find the one who resonates with you. However, it's worth the effort.
There are many types of psychotherapy, however the majority involve discussing your problems and discovering new ways to cope with the depression. It can also be beneficial to share your experience with others who are going through similar issues. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals and therapists' office. It is also carried out over the phone via online telehealth services.
Counseling for depression is designed to change negative thoughts and behavior that can contribute to the disorder. A therapist might, for example, coach you on how to manage stress to improve your mood. You can learn to recognize irrational thinking and challenge the preconceived notions that make you feel depressed. You can use EMDR to let go of painful or traumatic memories that may be contributing to depression.
Other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation therapy, are employed to help you identify and make changes in your behaviour patterns. For types of therapy for depression I Am Psychiatry can be beneficial when depression causes you to avoid social activities. The aim is to motivate you to participate in more social activities and to identify how your actions influence your mood. In general, these strategies are utilized in conjunction with medication. You can find a qualified psychotherapist in your local area by asking your doctor to refer you, or by calling a community mental health center.
5. Exercise
Exercise is a proven method to reduce and treat depression. It's not a typical treatment. Psychotherapy and medication are more commonly used. But a growing body of research suggests that exercise may be as effective in treating depression as psychotherapy and antidepressants, perhaps even more effective.
In fact, it's more effective than either drug or psychotherapy alone, according to a meta-analysis of over 150 studies. The study found that those with depression who exercised saw their symptoms improve by five points on one scale and 6.5 points on another which is clinically significant. The results were similar regardless of whether they exercised for just a few minutes or an hour per day.
Exercise is also an effective alternative to medication or psychotherapy, but it may not be suitable for all. It also has the added benefit of keeping us physically fit and helping us fight off other mental health issues like anxiety.
Additionally, exercise doesn't have the stigma associated with taking drugs or attending therapy. It's accessible to everyone, has few costs attached and can be an extremely empowering method.
It's still hard to study exercise as a medicine because it is difficult for researchers to control factors such as how much people exercise in their normal routine and any other medications that they might be taking. Therefore, more research is required to determine the best amount, frequency, and duration of exercise to prevent and treating depression. In order to aid in this, GPs and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercises for their patients as part of their treatment plan. This is known as a "green prescription', and it involves writing an exercise plan based on the patient's needs and encouraging them to become active by maintaining regular face-to-face or telephone contact with a certified fitness professional like an exercise physiotherapist or physical educator.