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 generally recommend using exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant medications.
Generally, the guidelines recommend using CBT or an SGA before starting on medications and titrate up dosages according to the need. Patients who are not responding to monotherapy could be able to benefit from augmentation with lithium, psychostimulants or SSRIs.
1. Diagnosis
A diagnosis is the first step towards treating depression. This involves a discussion with your physician or mental health professional, and certain forms 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 if you have ever had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP will also examine your general health, family history, and lifestyle to determine if you have depression or another mental health problem.
It is essential to be honest and honest with your GP to help them get the most accurate picture of what's happening for you. This will help them identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other illnesses like heart disease.
When your GP decides that you may be suffering from depression, he or will conduct tests to rule out other conditions. Blood tests, for instance tests for thyroid or anemia problems 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 determines that you are depressed The doctor will explain the causes and best treatment options. This could include psychotherapy or a combination of therapy and medication. The most effective medications for depression are antidepressants, which alter the balance of chemical substances in the brain. best treatment for depression can be taken either orally or via injections and it could take several weeks before they begin to work. These medications can also cause negative side effects like constipation and dry mouth.
2. Medication
Many people can benefit from taking medication. At first, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or a combination of them. If the initial treatment fails to yield a satisfactory result Your doctor may suggest you try a different medication or alter the dosage or frequency at which you take it. To get the most out of your medication, it's important to take it regularly. You should never stop taking your medication unless told to do so by your physician.
Based on the severity of your symptoms, you may be given a prescription for a general antidepressant or an SSRI. An SSRI is an antidepressant which increases the levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa) and 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 may prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs can be safely used by adolescents and children.
Before starting any medication, you should inform your doctor if you are any health or allergy issues. Medication may cause side effects, such as an upset stomach or a dry mouth. Most of the time, these side effects are mild and disappear on their own within two or three weeks. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you are taking medication.
Certain depression-related symptoms, such as restlessness or trouble sleeping, may be worsened by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided because they can make depression more difficult to manage. In the case of continued use, particularly over an extended period, can lead to more serious issues.
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can assist you deal with issues that are contributing to your depression. This kind of treatment is long-term however it has been proven to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be carried out in many different settings, like private therapists' clinics, hospitals, offices for rehabilitation and psychiatry facilities. It is usually one-on-one however group therapy is also possible.
Your Therapist will discuss your emotions, behaviors, and relationships with you in a private and safe environment. In the initial few sessions your therapist will begin to know you and recommend a treatment plan. This can include psychotherapy, medications as well as exercises and other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT).
Some of them are short-term and focus on specific problems. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is one example. It helps people comprehend the root issues such as unresolved grievance or conflicts with others. Depression can be caused by a variety of reasons including loss and stress to unresolved traumas and abuse. They may require more intense therapy as well as other forms of treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists people in changing patterns of thinking that cause their ailments and to improve their coping skills so they can cope with the stresses of life and conflicts. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) blends elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques, which allow you to be aware and accept your emotions.
Often, psychological treatment can help with acute, moderate or severe depression as effectively as antidepressants do. It can take a bit longer for it to take effect and not everyone will respond the same way. It is important to keep attending therapy sessions and complete your homework (like journaling or meditative) between sessions.
4. Counseling
It is crucial to find the right treatment, regardless of whether your symptoms of depression are mild. Often, that includes counseling or psychological therapy. A professional outside of your life helping with your feelings can have a profound impact on your life. It might take a few therapists to find the one who is a good fit for you. It's worth the effort.
There are many types of psychotherapy. However, the majority involve talking about your issues and learning strategies to deal with depression. You might also find it helpful to talk about your experience with other people who are dealing with similar problems. Group counseling is available at medical clinics, hospitals and therapists' office. It is also carried out over the phone via online Telehealth services.
Counseling for depression seeks to change negative thoughts and behavior patterns that cause depression. A therapist might, for example, coach you on how to manage stress to improve your mood. You might be taught to recognize irrational thoughts and challenge preconceptions that make you feel down. You can utilize EMDR to help release painful or traumatic memories that may be contributing to depression.
Other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation therapy, are employed to help you recognize and change your patterns of behaviour. For example behavioural activation therapy can be helpful when depression causes you to avoid social activities. The goal is to encourage more social interaction and to identify the ways in which your actions affect your mood. These methods are typically used in conjunction with medication. You can find a licensed counselor in your local area by asking your doctor to refer you or calling the community mental health center.
5. Exercise
Exercise is a well-established method to prevent and treat depression. But it's not generally considered a treatment of choice as psychotherapy and medication being more favoured. Research that is growing suggests that exercise is as effective as antidepressants or talking treatments for treating depression.
A meta-analysis of over 150 studies found that it was more effective than psychotherapy or medications alone. The study revealed that people with depression who exercised saw their symptoms improve by five points on one measure and 6.5 points on another that is crucial to clinical research. The results were similar regardless of whether they exercised for just only a few minutes or an hour each day.
Exercise can also be an excellent alternative to medications or psychotherapy, which may not be appropriate for everyone. Exercise can help keep us physically fit and may help prevent other mental health issues, like anxiety.
Exercise is not stigmatized like the use of drugs or therapy. Exercise is available to everyone and comes at a low cost and can be a empowering method.
It's still hard to study exercise as medicine because it's difficult for researchers to regulate factors like how often people exercise in their normal routine and any other medications they may be taking. So more research is needed to determine the most effective kind, frequency and duration of exercise to prevent and treating depression. In order to aid in this, doctors and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercise for their patients as part of a treatment plan. 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 become active by maintaining regular face-to-face or phone calls with a trained fitness professional such as an physical therapist or exercise physiotherapist.