There are many natural treatments for depression, including eating a well-balanced diet and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol.
Depression Treatment
Because it is a multi-faceted condition, treatment for depression is multi-faceted as well. Minor depression can often be treated with therapy and a few simple lifestyle changes, while chronic or major depression treatment can require medication in addition to therapy. In some severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used. It's important to work with your mental health professional to determine which course of treatment for your type of depression is most appropriate.
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Sigma Nursing answeredSee All 3 AnswersThere are many proposed alternative depression treatments, although none of them have been clinically proved to be effective and they shouldn't replace traditional medical care. There are dietary supplements, the most popular of which is an herb called St. John's wort. S-adenosylmethionine (known as SAMe) and omega-3 fatty acids are also sometimes used. Non-supplement alternatives include acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and exercise.
Hypnotherapy was shown to be more effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy for reducing depression in a 2007 study. Hypnotherapy uses suggestion and imagery to coax the subconscious mind into managing negative stimuli in a more positive, controlled fashion. New coping skills are imprinted in to the subconscious to ward off depressing thoughts. Hypnotherapy can also dig deep into the subconscious to find the root cause of depression. With this information, the patient is reprogrammed to react in a healthier manner to depressive stimuli. A professional diagnosis of the type of depression should be sought before using hypnotherapy.
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Sigma Nursing answered
Masked depression is a complex emotional response that can be difficult, if not impossible, to prevent. Because it takes the form of indirect behaviors, the true source of the problem is obscured. It usually takes the appearance of symptoms for a person to even be remotely aware of the presence of masked depression.
The treatment options for masked depression are similar to those used for major depression. Depression is usually treated with a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Because masked depression may involve another medical condition such as substance abuse or alcohol abuse, those conditions may be treated as well.
Antidepressants are often used to treat masked depression. These medications affect the levels of certain types of chemicals in the brain. Different types of antidepressants may be tried, sometimes in combination, to find a drug regimen that works best with a particular person.
An alternative treatment for masked depression is the use of certain herbal remedies, most commonly St. John's wort. There is no clinical evidence that St. John's wort is an effective treatment, however. People who take St. John's wort or any other herbal remedy should make their doctor aware in order to consider possible drug interaction problems.
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Some people taking medication for depression experience side effects that are often temporary. These include dry mouth, bladder problems, constipation, blurred vision, sexual functioning problems, dizziness, drowsiness, increased heart rate, nausea, nervousness or insomnia, and agitation.
Several years ago, increased suicidal risk was indicated in connection with some antidepressant medications. Many drug makers were required by the US Food and Drug Administration to include a warning on their packaging to monitor for increased suicidal behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults. Since then, studies have indicated that the benefits of these medications in treating depression and anxiety in this population far outweigh the risks. Studies in adults show no increase in suicide risk. Regardless, careful monitoring for suicidal behavior should be part of any treatment plan for depression.
Talking to your healthcare provider is important. Be sure to pay attention and discuss how the medication is making you feel throughout your body, and any changes you are experiencing.
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Discovery Health answeredSee All 11 AnswersOnce a person has been diagnosed with depression, there are a number of treatment options.
Common treatments for chronic depression and major depression are psychotherapy to help the patient learn effective coping methods, antidepressant medications to relieve medications, or a combination.
Antidepressant medications can help to normalize neurotransmitters in the brain.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft and others, are the newest types of antidepressants. Other commonly prescribed medications are called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which include Effexor and Cymbalta. SNRIS and SSRIs generally have fewer side effects than tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which have a history of food and drug interactions. The type of antidepressant that is most effective can differ from person to person. Doctors often encourage patients to try different forms until they find the one that works best.
Antidepressants typically are taken regularly for at least four weeks, and in some cases up to eight weeks, before improvement is noticed. It generally takes six months to 12 months to achieve complete therapeutic effect. In cases of chronic or severe depression, long-term treatment may be required.
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredIn transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), magnetic fields are sent through the scalp and skull to a particular area of the brain. When the magnetic field enters the brain it creates a small electrical current. This electrical current stimulates the brain cells (neurons) in a targeted brain area and causes them to fire (or send an electrical impulse).
For the treatment of depression, TMS works by sending a magnetic pulse of less than one millisecond in duration to the brain area known as the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area on the left side of the forehead. Magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that this area is underactive in patients with depression. By stimulating that area with TMS, the area may become more active. When TMS is given for four to six weeks, people may begin to feel improvement in their mood, sleep, appetite and ability to concentrate, and the symptoms of depression may begin to resolve.