Treatments for Depression
Depression is a disease that can be successfully treated. There are a variety of ways to treat depression, including prescription medication and psychotherapy. Some people may use natural remedies such as herbal therapy. Only a health care professional can determine the appropriate option to treat your depression.
Prescription medications
There are several types of prescription antidepressant medications that are divided into different classes. Each antidepressant class affects the levels of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which are thought to be involved in regulating mood.
The most commonly prescribed prescription antidepressant classes are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs are believed to treat depression by affecting the levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. SNRIs are believed to treat depression by affecting the levels of two neurotransmitters called serotonin and norepinephrine.
It's important to know that it could take as many as 6 to 8 weeks for the full therapeutic effect to occur. It is important to give the medication a chance to work and to take it exactly as directed by your health care professional.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is known as "talk therapy," which research has shown can be very helpful for people with some forms of depression. Like all treatment options, psychotherapy can be used alone or in combination with medication or other treatments.
The two main types of psychotherapy that are typically used to treat depression are:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) - helps to reduce depression symptoms by challenging and reversing negative beliefs and attitudes.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT) - helps facilitate the resolution of role disputes and helps to overcome problems with social skills and other interpersonal factors that may impact the development of depression.
Healthy living
The following are some suggestions for a natural approach to a healthy lifestyle, which may help provide some relief of depression symptoms:
- Maintain proper sleep hygiene as advised by your health care professional.
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Manage anxiety as advised by your health care professional
- Participate in a structured and supervised exercise program as advised by your health care professional
- Set realistic goals for yourself
- Create small and manageable tasks
- Let others you can trust such as family and friends help you
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