Effective Ways to Treat Depression

Depression is a mental disorder where you have persistent sadness and a loss of interest in things and activities you once enjoyed. It can be caused by genetics, stressful life events, certain medications, and medical conditions, especially chronic diseases like cancer. Common symptoms of depression include a feeling of hopelessness, decreased energy or fatigue, trouble sleeping, and difficulties concentrating or making decisions. You may also experience weight changes, thoughts of self-harm, be easily irritated, or have physical problems like headaches or sexual dysfunction. Untreated depression can lead to self-harm or suicide. There are various types of depression, and your WellMind Behavioral Health & Wellness doctor can identify yours depending on symptoms, cause, and how long it has lasted. Below are common treatments for depression.

Medications

Your doctor can prescribe antidepressants to treat moderate to severe depression. Several kinds of antidepressants can treat depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic, atypical, selective serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The results of antidepressants vary in individuals, so your doctor will prescribe the one that works best for you. Antidepressants can cause side effects like nausea, constipation, diarrhea, rash, sexual dysfunction, and weight changes, but your doctor can help you manage them. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is an essential treatment for depression. The commonly used psychotherapies for depression include interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps you identify the connection between your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. Your therapist focuses on helping you change your harmful thoughts and behaviors. Interpersonal therapy emphasizes identifying the emotional issues that affect your relationship and communication and how these issues affect your mood. It primarily aims at improving your relationships and managing your emotions. Psychotherapy works best when combined with medications.

Exercise

Aerobic exercises can increase your endorphin levels and stimulate neurotransmitters, easing your depression and anxiety. Research in 2019 shows that exercise can benefit patients with resistant depression. Exercise is more effective when combined with other therapies like antidepressants and psychotherapy.

Brain stimulation therapies

Two main therapies can help manage depression, which include:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive technique that stimulates nerves in your brain with magnetic pulses. It involves receiving short, quick and repeated bursts of magnetic stimulation where your provider focuses on the parts of your brain associated with emotional regulation. Your doctor can recommend TMS to treat resistant depression. Research shows that the treatment is effective in relieving depression symptoms and improving mood.

Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy involves your doctor passing a small amount of electricity through your brain to cause a brief seizure. Doctors do not know exactly how the treatment works, but it is thought it triggers an immediate increase in dopamine and serotonin, your body’s main neurotransmitters associated with depression. Doctors recommend this procedure to treat depression and other psychological conditions that do not respond to other treatments. Research shows it improves psychological symptoms in seventy to ninety percent of patients.

Depression is a mental disorder that affects how you control your emotions and thoughts. Your doctor can help you manage depression through medications, psychotherapy, exercise, and brain stimulation therapies. Schedule an appointment at WellMind Behavioral Health & Wellness for depression treatment to control your emotions. 

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