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Guidelines For Treating Depression There are many different guidelines for treating depression, published by the APA, CANMAT, BAP, NICE, and Texas Medication Algorithm Project. Generally, they advise using psychotherapy, exercise, and antidepressant medication. The guidelines recommend that patients who don't respond to monotherapy, use CBT or SGA prior to beginning medication and then increase dosages as needed. Supplementation with lithium, psychostimulants, SSRIs or SNRIs or TMAPs could be beneficial for patients who fail to respond to monotherapy. 1. Diagnosis The first step in the treatment of depression is to get the diagnosis. This can be done by having a conversation with a mental health professional or your doctor, and certain types of talk therapy. Your GP will ask about your symptoms, and how they've affected your life over the past month. They'll also want to know whether you've ever had thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Your GP may also consider your general health as well as your family history and lifestyle in determining if 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 happening for you. This will enable them to identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other illnesses like cancer or heart disease. After your GP decides that you may be suffering from depression, he or will conduct tests to rule out any other issues. Blood tests, for instance test thyroid or anemia problems that could be causing depression. They can also test your blood to look for deficiencies in vitamins as well as alcohol and other substances that cause depression. If your GP has diagnosed depression The doctor will discuss the reasons and the best treatment options. This could include psychotherapy or a combination of medications and therapies. Antidepressants are among the most effective medication to treat depression. They alter the balance of chemical substances within the brain. They can be administered either orally or via injections and may take several weeks before they begin to work. They may also cause adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation. 2. Medication Many people can benefit from medication. with depression. In the beginning, your doctor might prescribe antidepressants or a combination of them. If the initial treatment does not produce a satisfactory result Your doctor may suggest that you try another medication or alter the dosage or time that you take it. effective depression treatment I Am Psychiatry is crucial to take your medication on a regular basis to reap the maximum benefits. Never stop taking your medication without doctor's approval. Depending 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 increases the levels of the chemical serotonin within 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). Other antidepressants, like tetracyclics can be prescribed if a doctor thinks that these medications would be more efficient than an SSRI or an SNRI. SSRIs and SNRIs are usually considered safe for use in adolescents and children. Before you begin any medication, you should inform your doctor if there are any allergies or health problems. Some medications can trigger side effects such as stomach upset or dry mouth. These side effects are typically mild and will go away on their own within about a week. Do not operate or drive machines if you're taking medication. Other recreational drugs and alcohol can worsen some depression symptoms, such as sleeplessness or trouble sleeping. These substances should be avoided because they can make depression harder to treat. Continued use, especially for a long time could lead to more serious problems. 3. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can assist you deal with issues that contribute to your depression. This type of treatment may be long-term, but it has been proven effective for many people with depression. Psychotherapy can be done in a variety of settings that include private therapists' offices, hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually one-on-one, but group therapy is also a possibility. Your therapist will ask about your emotions, behavior and relationships, and will discuss these with you in a secure and confidential setting. In the initial few sessions your therapist will get to know you better and suggest a treatment program. This may include medication, psychotherapy exercise and other treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some of them are temporary and are focused on specific issues. For instance IPT, or interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people to understand underlying problems such as unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. Depression can be caused by a variety of reasons that range from loss and stress to unresolved traumas and abuse. This may require more intensive therapy and other treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change patterns of thinking that cause their symptoms and improve resilience skills to help them manage life's stress and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a combination of CBT elements with mindfulness techniques to allow you to accept and be aware of your emotions. Psychotherapy can often ease acute moderate to severe depression as effectively as antidepressants can. It can take a bit longer for it to work and not everyone will respond the same way. It is important to keep attending sessions for therapy and complete your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions. 4. Counseling Whether your depression symptoms are severe or mild, it's important to find treatment that helps. Often, that includes psychotherapy or counseling. Having an outside expert help with your feelings can be life-changing. You may have to test various therapists before finding one that you like However, it's worth it. There are many types of psychotherapy, but most involve talking through your issues and discovering new ways to cope with depression. You might also find it helpful to talk about your experience with others who are experiencing similar struggles. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals, therapists' offices, and even over the phone via online telehealth services. Counseling for depression is aimed at changing negative thoughts and behavior that cause depression. For example, a therapist may coach you on ways to manage stress so that your mood improves. You may learn to recognize irrational thoughts and challenge preconceptions that make you feel depressed. You can utilize EMDR to let go of painful or traumatic memories that could be causing depression. Other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioural activation therapy, are used to help you identify and make changes in your behavior patterns. For instance the behavioural activation therapy is beneficial when depression causes you to withdraw from social activities. The aim is to encourage more social interaction and to discover the ways your actions impact your mood. Generally, these approaches are employed in conjunction with medications. You can find a licensed psychotherapist in your area by asking your doctor to refer you or calling a community mental health center. 5. Exercise Exercise is a proven method to prevent and treat depression. However, it's not widely considered a treatment of choice, with medication and psychotherapy being more favoured. A growing body of research suggests exercise is as effective as antidepressants or talking therapies for treating depression. A meta-analysis of more than 150 studies concluded that exercise was more efficient than drugs or psychotherapy alone. The research found that on average, people with depression who exercised improved their symptoms by five points with one measure and 6.5 points using another which is clinically significant. The results were the same whether they exercised a few minutes or an hour per day. Exercise is a great alternative to psychotherapy or medication which are not suitable for all people. And it has the added bonus of keeping us physically fit and preventing other mental health problems like anxiety. Furthermore, exercise doesn't have the stigma associated with taking drugs or going to therapy. Exercise is accessible to all and is cost-effective and can be a powerful method. However, it's still difficult to study exercise as a medicine, because it can be difficult to control for factors like how much people typically exercise and the other medications they might be taking. Therefore, more research is needed to determine the best amount, frequency, and duration of exercise for preventing and treating depression. To help patients with depression, GPs are prescribing exercise as a part of their treatment plans. The “green prescription” is a program that encourages patients to get active by contacting a fitness expert regularly via phone or face-to-face.