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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 psychotherapy, exercise and antidepressant medication.

The guidelines recommend that patients who do not respond to monotherapy should use CBT or SGA prior to beginning medication and then increase dosages as needed. The addition of psychostimulants, lithium, SSRIs or SNRIs or TMAPs can be beneficial in patients who are not responding to monotherapy.

1. Diagnosis

A diagnosis is the first step in treating depression. This can be done by having a conversation with a mental health professional or your doctor, and certain forms of therapy.

Your GP will inquire about your symptoms and how they've impacted your life over the last month. They'll also inquire whether you've ever had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP might also look at your general health lifestyle, family background and personal history when determining whether you suffer from depression.

It's important to be open and honest with your GP to ensure they get the most accurate picture of what's going on for you. This will help them to identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other diseases such as cancer or heart disease.

If your GP determines that you have depression treatment history, he / she will run tests to rule out any other conditions. Blood tests, for instance test 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 cause depression.

If your GP determines that you suffer from depression, they'll discuss what's causing it and the best way to treat depression approach to manage it. This could involve psychotherapy, or a combination between therapy and medication. Antidepressants are the most effective medication to treat depression. They work by changing the balance of chemical substances within the brain. They can be taken orally or by injection, 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 can benefit from taking medication. At first, your doctor may prescribe one or more antidepressants. If initial non pharmacological treatment for depression doesn't produce an effective response Your doctor may suggest that you try another medication or alter the dosage or the time of day you take it. To get the most benefit of your medication, it is important to take it regularly. Don't stop taking your medication without a doctor's consent.

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 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. Examples of SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Khedezla).

If your doctor believes that tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs and SNRIs, they may prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs can be safely used by children and adolescents.

It is recommended to inform your doctor whether you suffer from any allergies or other health issues before you begin taking medications. Medication can sometimes result in side effects like an dry mouth or stomach that is upset. These side effects are generally minor and will disappear within around a week. Do not operate or drive machinery if you are taking medication.

Some depression symptoms like restlessness or trouble sleeping, may be made worse by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should not be used because they can make depression more difficult to manage. Continuing to use them, particularly for a prolonged period of time, could result in more serious problems.

3. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) can help you deal with issues that contribute to your depression. This type of treatment is a long-term one, however it has been proven to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be done in a variety of settings like private therapists' offices, hospitals, clinics for psychiatry, and rehabilitation facilities. It's usually one-on-one therapy however group therapy is also possible.

Your therapist will ask questions about your feelings, behaviors and relationships, and discuss them with you in a safe and confidential environment. In the initial sessions your therapist gets to know you better and will recommend the best 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 concentrate on specific issues. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) for instance helps people to understand the root of issues such as unresolved grievance or conflicts with others. Depression can be caused by a range of factors including loss and stress to unresolved traumas or abuse. These may require more intensive therapy as well as other forms of treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change patterns of thinking that contribute to their symptoms and enhances their the ability to cope so that they can deal with life's stresses and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines CBT elements with mindfulness techniques to assist you in recognizing and observing your emotions.

Often, psychological treatment can help with acute, moderate or severe depression as effectively as antidepressants can. It can take longer for it to work and not everyone responds the same way. It is crucial to attend your therapy sessions and to complete your homework between sessions (like journaling or meditation).

4. Counseling

It's important to find a treatment that works, regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are not severe. Often, that includes psychotherapy or counseling. The assistance of an outside professional with your feelings can 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 a variety of psychotherapy. However most involve discussing your concerns and learning strategies to deal with depression. It can also be beneficial to discuss your experiences with a group of people who have similar issues. Group counseling is offered at hospitals, medical clinics or therapists' offices and even over the phone via online Telehealth services.

Counseling for depression aims to change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to the condition. A therapist might help, for instance, instruct you on how to manage stress in order to improve your mood. You can be taught to recognize the irrational thoughts and challenge your preconceived notions that cause you feel depressed. You can use EMDR to let go of painful or traumatic memories that could contribute to depression.

Other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are utilized to help you understand your patterns of behavior and make adjustments. For instance, behavioural therapy could be beneficial if post pregnancy depression treatment causes you to avoid social activities. The aim is to motivate you to participate in more social activities and to understand the ways in which your actions affect your mood. Generally, these methods are employed in conjunction with medications. Ask your doctor for a referral, or call the local mental health clinic to locate a therapist who is certified.

5. Exercise

The benefits of exercising for preventing and treating depression are well-established. It's not a standard treatment. The use of medication and psychotherapy is more frequently used. But a growing body of research suggests that exercise can be as effective at treating depression as talking therapies and antidepressants, or even better.

A meta-analysis of more than 150 studies showed that it was more efficient than drugs or psychotherapy by themselves. The research found that, on average, those with depression who exercised improved their symptoms by five points with one measure and 6.5 points with another which is clinically significant. The effects were powerful regardless of whether they exercised for just few minutes per day, or for more than an hour a day.

Exercise is an excellent alternative to psychotherapy or medication that aren't suitable for everyone. Exercise can also help keep our bodies fit and help prevent other mental health issues such as anxiety.

Furthermore, exercise doesn't have the stigma associated with taking drugs or going to talk therapy. It's available to everyone, has no costs attached and can be a very empowering approach.

It's still hard to study exercise as medicine because it's difficult for researchers to regulate factors like how much people exercise normally and any other medications they might be taking. More research is needed to determine the most effective type, frequency and length of exercise to treat and combating depression. To aid patients suffering from depression, doctors are prescribing more exercise as part of their treatment plans. It's called a 'green prescription', and it involves writing an exercise program based on the patient's needs and encouraging them to become active with regular face-to-face or phone calls with a trained fitness professional like an physical therapist or exercise physiotherapist.