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Guidelines For Treating Depression

The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have released a number of guidelines for treating depression. They recommend exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.

Generally, the guidelines recommend the use of CBT or an SGA prior to starting medications and gradually increasing dosages according to the need. Patients who do not respond to monotherapy might benefit from augmentation using psychostimulants, lithium, or SSRIs.

1. Diagnosis

A diagnosis is the first step towards treating depression. This requires a conversation with your doctor or mental health professional, and some kinds of psychotherapy (talk therapy).

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and how they have affected your life over the last month. They'll also inquire if you have ever had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP will also take a look at your general health, family history and lifestyle to determine if you suffer from depression treatment without medicines or another mental health problem.

It's essential to be open and honest with your GP, so they can get the most accurate picture of what is depression treatment's going on for you. This will allow them to identify the signs of depression. They can then use these symptoms to rule out other illnesses, such as heart disease or cancer, which may cause similar symptoms.

Once your GP has concluded that you may be suffering from depression and they'll rule out any other conditions with tests. Blood tests, for instance, can check thyroid or anemia problems that could be causing depression. They will also test your blood to check for deficiencies in vitamins as well as alcohol and other drugs that can mimic depression.

If your GP discovers you have depression, they'll discuss the reasons behind it and the best way to treat it. This could include psychotherapy, or a combination between therapy and medication. Antidepressants are among the most effective drugs to treat depression. They work by changing the balance of chemical substances within the brain. They can be taken either in the form of injections or orally, and it may take several weeks before they start working. They can also trigger side effects such as constipation and dry mouth.

2. Medication

Many people benefit from medication. Your doctor may initially prescribe a medication or a combination of antidepressants. If the initial home treatment for depression fails to produce an effective response Your doctor may suggest that you try an alternative medication or alter the dose or the 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 take it off by your physician.

Based 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 that is found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa) as well as the escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. Examples of SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Khedezla).

Other antidepressants, including tetracyclics, can be prescribed if your doctor believes that these medications will be more effective than an SSRI or SNRI. SSRIs or SNRIs may be used safely by adolescents and children.

Before you begin any medication, it is important to inform your doctor if you are any health or allergy issues. Medication can sometimes cause side effects, such as an upset stomach or dry mouth. These side effects are usually mild and will resolve on their own within around a week. If you're taking medication avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel alert and clear.

Alcohol and other recreational drugs can exacerbate depression symptoms such as restlessness or difficulty sleeping. These substances should be avoided, because they can make depression more difficult to manage. In the case of continued use, particularly for a long time could lead to more serious problems.

3. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can help you to deal with issues that contribute to depression. This type of treatment may be long-lasting, but it has been proven to be beneficial for many people suffering from depression. Psychotherapy can be carried out in a variety of settings, like private therapists' offices, hospitals, clinics for psychiatry, and rehabilitation facilities. It's usually one-on-one therapy however it is also possible to do group therapy.

Your therapist will ask questions about your feelings, behaviors and relationships, and discuss them with you in a secure and confidential setting. In the initial few sessions, your therapist will get to know you and recommend a treatment plan. This can include psychotherapy, medication exercise and activity, or other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Some of them are temporary and focus on specific problems. For example, interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people understand underlying problems such as conflicting feelings or grieving over significant others. Depression can be caused by a variety of causes including loss and stress to unresolved traumas, abuse and other issues. This may require more intensive therapy as well as other forms of treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive restructuring, helps people to change their thinking patterns, which cause symptoms. It also enhances resilience and helps people deal with the stresses and conflicts of life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines CBT elements with mindfulness techniques to help you accept and observe your emotions.

Often, psychological treatment can reduce the severity of acute moderate to severe depression as effectively as antidepressants can. However, it can take longer to work and not everyone responds in the same way. It is essential to be present at your therapy sessions and to complete your homework between sessions (like journaling or contemplating).

4. Counseling

If you are experiencing depression symptoms that are severe or mild, it's important to find treatments that help. This can be done through counseling or psychotherapy. A professional outside of your life helping with your feelings can be life-changing. It may take several counselors to find the one who clicks with you. But it is worth the effort.

There are many types of psychotherapy, however the majority involve discussing your problems and learning new strategies to cope with the depression. It is also beneficial to share your experiences with a group of people who are experiencing similar issues. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals and therapists' office. It is also conducted via phone using online health services via telehealth.

Counseling for depression is designed at transforming negative thoughts and behaviors that can contribute to the disorder. For instance, a therapist might help you to manage stress to improve your mood. You can learn to recognize irrational thought patterns and challenge your preconceived notions that cause you feel down. You might use EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to help you get rid of traumatic or painful memories that could contribute to your depression.

Other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are used to help you recognize your behavior patterns and make adjustments. For instance, behavioural activation therapy is helpful when depression causes you to withdraw from social activities. The goal is to encourage you to participate in more social activities and to understand how your actions influence your mood. These methods are typically used in conjunction medication. You can locate a certified psychotherapist in your local area by asking your doctor to refer you or calling a community mental health center.

5. Exercise

The benefits of exercise in preventing and treating depression are well-established. It's not a common treatment of depression. Psychotherapy and medications are more commonly utilized. But a growing body of research suggests that exercise may be as effective at treating depression as talking therapies and antidepressants, and perhaps even better.

A meta-analysis of more than 150 studies found that it was more efficient than drugs or psychotherapy on their own. The research found that people with depression who exercised experienced improvement in their symptoms by an average of five points on one scale and 6.5 points on another, which is clinically important. The results were similar whether they exercised in a few minutes or for an hour per day.

Exercise is a great alternative to psychotherapy or medication which are not suitable for all. Exercise also helps to keep us physically fit and can help prevent other mental health issues such as anxiety.

Additionally exercising doesn't carry the stigma that can be associated with taking prescription drugs or going to therapy. It's available 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 as it is difficult to monitor things like how much people typically exercise and the other medications they might be taking. Further research is required to determine the best type, frequency, and duration of exercise to treat and combating depression. To aid patients suffering from depression, GPs are prescribing exercise as a part of their treatment plans. The 'green prescription,' is a program designed to encourage patients to get active by contacting a fitness expert regularly via phone or face-to-face.