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Guidelines For Treating Depression There are several different guidelines for treating depression published by the APA, CANMAT, BAP, NICE, and Texas Medication Algorithm Project. They generally recommend using exercise, psychotherapy, and antidepressant medication. The guidelines recommend that patients who do not respond to monotherapy use CBT or SGA prior to beginning medication and then increase dosages as needed. Patients who do not respond to monotherapy may be able to benefit from augmentation with psychostimulants, lithium or SSRIs. 1. Diagnosis A diagnosis is the first step towards treating depression. This involves a conversation with a mental health professional or a doctor, and certain types of talk therapy. Your GP will ask about your symptoms, and how they have affected your life in the last month. They'll also inquire if you have ever had thoughts of self-harming or contemplating suicide. Your GP might also look at your general health lifestyle, family background and personal history when determining whether you have depression. It is important to be honest and open with your doctor so that they get a full picture of how you're feeling. This will allow them to recognize the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other diseases like cancer or heart disease. After your GP has determined that you may have depression, they'll rule out other conditions by conducting tests. Blood tests, for instance, can check thyroid or anemia-related issues which could be the cause of 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 discovers you have depression, they'll discuss what's causing it and the best method to treat it. This could include psychotherapy, or a combination between therapy and medication. Antidepressants are the most effective medications to treat depression. They alter the balance of chemicals in the brain. They can be taken orally or by injection and it can take several weeks before they begin working. They can also cause side effects such as constipation and dry mouth. 2. Medication The use of medications can benefit many suffering from depression. Your doctor may initially prescribe one or more antidepressants. If the initial treatment fails to produce satisfactory results, your doctor might recommend that you try an alternative medication or alter the dosage or time of day that you take it. Regularly taking your medication is essential to reap the maximum benefits. Don't stop taking your medication without doctor's consent. Based on your symptoms the general antidepressant might be prescribed or an SSRI. An SSRI is an antidepressant that increases the levels of the chemical serotonin 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. SNRIs include duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR or Khedezla). If your doctor believes tetracyclics are more efficient than SSRIs or SNRIs, they might prescribe them. SSRIs and SNRIs are generally considered safe to use in adolescents and children. Before taking any medication, you should inform your doctor if there are any health or allergy issues. Medication can trigger side effects such as stomach upset or dry mouth. Generally, these are mild and go away by themselves in two or three weeks. Avoid driving or operating machinery while you are taking medication. Certain depression-related symptoms such as restlessness and trouble sleeping, may be aggravated by alcohol or other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided because they can make depression harder to treat. The use of these substances for a long time, particularly over an extended period, can lead to more serious problems. 3. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can aid you to deal with issues that are contributing to your depression. This type of treatment may be long-lasting, but it has been proven effective for a lot of people suffering from 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 it is also possible to do group therapy. Your Therapist will discuss your emotions and behaviors as well as your relationships with you in a private and secure environment. In the first session your therapist gets to get to know you better and suggests the best treatment plan. This could include psychotherapy, medications, activity and exercises or other treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). Some of these are short-term and focus on specific issues. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is one example. It helps people to understand the root of issues, such as unresolved grievances or conflicts with others. Depression can be caused in many ways, ranging from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. They may require a longer-term therapy and other treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change patterns of thinking that contribute to their symptoms and improve the ability to cope so that they can cope with the stresses of life 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. Psychological treatment can often be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression that is acute. It can take a bit longer for it to take effect and not everyone responds the same way. preventive measures for depression is essential to continue to attend therapy sessions and complete your homework (like journaling or meditative) between sessions. 4. Counseling It is essential to find an effective treatment regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are not severe. Most often, this means psychotherapy or counseling. Having an outside expert help with your feelings could be life-changing. It may be necessary to try different therapists before you discover one that clicks with you However, the effort is worth it. There are a variety of psychotherapy, but most involve discussing your problems and developing new strategies to deal with the depression. It can also be helpful to share your experiences with a group of people who are experiencing similar issues. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals, therapists' offices, and even on your phone through online telehealth services. Counseling for depression is designed to change negative thoughts and behaviors which cause depression. A therapist could, for example, coach you on how to manage stress to improve your mood. You may learn to recognize irrational thoughts and challenge the preconceived notions that cause you to feel down. You can use EMDR to release painful or traumatic experiences that could be causing depression. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are used to help you identify your patterns of behavior and make changes. For instance, behavioural therapy can be beneficial when depression makes you avoid social activities. The goal is to promote more social interaction and discover the ways your actions impact your mood. These approaches are usually used in conjunction medication. Ask your doctor for a referral, or call a local community mental health center to locate a therapist who is certified. 5. Exercise The benefits of exercising for combating depression and preventing it are well-established. But it's not generally considered a treatment of choice as psychotherapy and medication being more favoured. However, a growing body research suggests that exercise can be as effective at treating depression as psychotherapy and antidepressants, perhaps even more effective. In fact it's more effective than psychotherapy or medication alone according to a meta-analysis of over 150 studies. The study revealed that people with depression who exercised noticed their symptoms improving by an average of five points on one measure and 6.5 points on another which is clinically significant. The effects were powerful regardless of whether they exercised for just few minutes per day, or more than an hour a day. Exercise is a great alternative to psychotherapy or medication, which are not suitable for everyone. Exercise can help keep us physically fit and can aid in preventing other mental health issues such as anxiety. Exercise isn't stigmatized as drugs or talk therapy. Exercise is accessible to all and is cost-effective and can be a empowering method. It's difficult to study exercise as medicine because it is difficult for researchers to regulate factors like how much people exercise in their normal routine and any other medications that they may be taking. More research is needed to determine the most effective type, frequency, and duration of exercise for treating and preventing depression. To aid in that, doctors and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercise for their patients as part of their treatment plan. The 'green prescription,' is a program that encourages patients to get active by contacting a fitness professional frequently via phone or face-to-face.