Progressive Depression Treatment
People with persistent depression disorder (PDD) are often afflicted with anxiety symptoms that can be correlated. They may feel anxious, restless, and overwhelmed.
A medication can ease depression symptoms. Psychological treatments (also called talking therapies) can help you alter your thinking patterns and enhance coping skills. People with PDD often benefit from a combination of medication and therapy.
Medication
The use of medications could be a key component in your treatment plan for depression. They can be utilized by themselves or in conjunction with psychotherapy. Antidepressants can ease your symptoms and make it easier for you to participate in therapy.
Certain antidepressants work by affecting the brain chemical called serotonin. They can be helpful for people with depression that is known as major depressive disorder. Patients who have been suffering from depression for a short time or for many years are covered. SSRIs are the most common antidepressant. Examples include citalopram and escitalopram as well as the fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline. Doctors also prescribe other types of antidepressants, including SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) like duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) and vilazodone (Viibryd). They might also recommend an antidepressant class that is older known as MAOIs. depression treatment approaches are not as common, but they can be beneficial for some people with an atypical form of depression.
If you are having a hard time getting better using antidepressants, your doctor might suggest a different type of medication or alter the dose. There are other options to treat depression like electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). During ECT electrodes are placed over your head, and electrical pulses pass through your brain. This alters the functioning of neurotransmitters that affect your mood. TMS is a non-invasive procedure which uses a treatment coil against your scalp to send recurring magnetic energy pulses to brain cells involved in the process of regulating mood.
Alternative therapies such as yoga, tai-chi, and meditation can ease depression symptoms and encourage relaxation. Acupuncture can also be a solution but it's essential to find a licensed practitioner who is aware of how depression operates and what can be done to help. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. They can mask your depression symptoms for a while but they aren't helpful in the long term.
Depression and other mental illnesses can be caused by medical conditions like heart disease, thyroid issues or stroke. They are often caused by certain medications such as corticosteroids and antipsychotics.
It's important to stick with your treatment plan. If you stop taking your medications or skip your therapy sessions, your depression could come back. In addition, you may suffer withdrawal-like symptoms if suddenly stop taking your antidepressants. You should also make sure that any natural or herbal supplements you take don't interfere with your medication. Some herbs, such as St. John's wort, can interact with certain prescription drugs, so make sure that your therapist knows about the herbs you're taking. Some herbs may also cause side negative effects, so always talk to your therapist prior to trying these herbs. You can also improve your mood by getting plenty of sleep and exercising.
Therapy
Talk therapies (psychological treatments) can help you overcome depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy as well as interpersonal counseling and psychoanalytic counselling are all options. In some instances, a combination is used. Therapy can be very efficient and help you learn to cope with the issues the cause of depression, like stress from work and family or relationship issues or addictions. The right type of therapy and acquiring new skills can aid in preventing relapses of depression in the future.
You can find a licensed and credentialed therapist through word of mouth, through your primary medical doctor or a national organization that can make referrals. Some community centers or senior groups, as well as religious organizations have therapists with credentials and licenses. Many of them have a sliding scale for payment.
Your therapist will listen to you and ask questions. Then, you and your therapist will come up with the best treatment plan to address your specific needs. Certain types of psychotherapy employ a very practical approach that helps you to change negative patterns of thinking or behavior that cause depression. Some are more reflective, focusing on past experiences and relationships to help you to understand the ways in which they contributed to your depression.
A therapist can help you learn relaxation techniques that are tested to reduce symptoms of depression. Some therapists also utilize acupuncture for treating depression.
If you have depression that is caused by medical conditions, such as thyroid disease or vitamin deficiency it must be treated before the depression can be cured. Certain medications can hinder certain types of psychotherapy, therefore, you must discuss your medication with your physician.
If you have a severe case of depression, your therapist could recommend electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). This is a procedure done in a hospital setting under general anesthesia. During ECT treatment, electrodes are put on your head and an electrical surge is transmitted through your brain, triggering seizures. ECT is typically only employed when other treatments don't work. In some cases, the combination of psychotherapy and medication can provide the greatest relief. This is particularly relevant for those who have a history or are at a high risk of developing depression. Relapsed depression may cause suicide. It is important to seek help if are thinking of taking your own life or harming yourself. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately if you are having suicidal feelings. The earlier you get help, the faster you will feel better again.
Exercise
Exercise has been proven effective in decreasing depression. Unlike medications, which may have side effects, exercise can be safely and easily used by most people. It is also cheaper than antidepressant medications and can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and counseling. However it is important to know that exercise isn't able to perform as fast as antidepressants, and takes longer time to see results. Additionally, it's not as effective for all. It should not be ignored.
Regular exercise releases feel-good hormones and boosts serotonin levels. It also stimulates the growth of new brain connections and cells. It can also improve your self-esteem and sleep. It's also easy to incorporate into your daily routine. You can do it by simply taking a walk of 30 minutes every day, or joining the gym. To reap the maximum benefits from exercise, it is essential to be regular. You could also increase your intensity over time.
Several studies have shown that resistance training (RET) significantly reduces the symptoms of depression for adults suffering from MDD. The overall quality of research is low-moderate. A number of trials were small, and a few had methodological flaws that could have affected results. In addition the results of a few trials were inconsistent.
The meta-analysis comprised seven random controlled trials that compared RET with antidepressants of second generation or no treatment. The pooled estimate of the effect size was -0.08 (95 percent confidence interval: -0.11 to 0.01) and the heterogeneity was moderate. This suggests that there is a moderately sized statistically significant treatment effect, and that RET is more effective than the other two treatments.
A few strategies have also been suggested to increase the fitness level and decrease the rate of dropout among those with mental health problems. Vancampfort et al. 52) suggest that autonomy motivation plays a major role. They recommend modifying RET prescriptions to meet your individual preferences, abilities and previous experiences. They also recommend supervision and social support by trained exercise professionals to maximize the chance of adherence.
It is possible that the primary cause of your depression may be a problem with the body's hormones or nutritional deficiencies. It is crucial to talk to your doctor in order to identify the root reason for your depression and determine the most effective treatment for you. Don't be afraid to experiment with different treatments, and don't settle for one that isn't effective or has unacceptable adverse consequences. The objective is to find a treatment that works for you and that will assist in preventing your depression from returning.