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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. In general, they recommend exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. Generally, the guidelines recommend using CBT or an SGA prior to beginning treatment and titrate up dosages according to the need. Patients who are not responding to monotherapy may benefit from augmentation using psychostimulants, lithium or SSRIs. 1. Diagnosis A diagnosis is the first step in treating depression. This involves a conversation with a mental health professional or your doctor, as well as some forms of talk therapy. Your GP will inquire about your symptoms and how they've affected your life in the last month. They'll also ask whether you've had any thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP will also take into consideration your general health as well as your family history and lifestyle when determining whether you suffer from depression. It is essential to be honest and honest with your GP to ensure they get the most accurate picture of what's going on for you. This will allow them to identify the signs of depression. They can then utilize these symptoms to rule out other diseases, such as cancer or heart disease, that could cause similar symptoms. After your GP determines that you might have depression, he or they will run tests to rule out any other ailments. Blood tests, for example tests for thyroid or anemia-related issues which could be the cause of depression. They can also test your blood to look for vitamin deficiencies as well as alcohol and other substances that mimic depression. If your GP diagnoses depression The doctor will explain the cause and the best treatment options. This might include psychotherapy or an array of therapies and medication. The most effective medications for depression are antidepressants, which alter the balance of chemical substances in the brain. They can be administered either orally or via injections and may take some time before they begin to work. They can also cause adverse effects, such as constipation and dry mouth. 2. Medication Many people can benefit from taking medication. Your doctor might initially prescribe one or more antidepressants. If your initial treatment isn't producing satisfactory results Your doctor may suggest that you try a different medication or change the dosage or time of day that you take it. To get the most benefit of your medication, it is important to take it regularly. Don't stop taking your medication without a doctor's permission. Based on the severity of your symptoms, you could be prescribed an antidepressant general or an SSRI. An SSRI is an antidepressant that increases the levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa) and the escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. Examples of SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Khedezla). If your doctor believes tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs and SNRIs, they might prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs can be safely used by children and adolescents. Before starting any medication, inform your doctor if there are any health issues or allergies. Medication can sometimes cause side effects such as an dry mouth or stomach that is upset. Generally, these are mild and disappear on their own within two or three weeks. If you're taking medication don't drive or operate machinery until you feel relaxed and clear. Some depression symptoms such as restlessness and difficulty sleeping, can be aggravated by alcohol or other recreational drugs. These substances are not recommended for use because they can make depression more difficult to manage. Continued use, especially for a long time can result in 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 is a long-term one, but has been proven to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be done in many different settings, including private therapy offices as well as hospitals, psychiatric centers and rehabilitation facilities. It is typically conducted one-on-one however group therapy is also possible. Your therapist will inquire about your feelings, behaviors and relationships, and will discuss these with you in a safe and private environment. In the initial few sessions your therapist will begin to know you and will suggest a treatment plan. This could include psychotherapy, medication exercise and activity, or other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some of these are short-term and are focused on specific issues. Interpersonal therapy (IPT), for example, helps people understand underlying issues like unresolved grievances or conflicts with other people. Depression can be caused by various ways, ranging from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. This may require therapy for a longer period and other treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists people in changing patterns of thinking that contribute to their symptoms and improve the ability to cope so that they can deal with life's stresses and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines CBT elements with mindfulness techniques that assist you in recognizing and observing your emotions. Psychotherapy can often reduce the severity of acute moderate to severe depression just as antidepressants do. However, it takes longer to effect results and not everyone responds to it in the same way. It is important to continue to attend sessions for therapy and complete your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions. 4. Counseling Whether your depression symptoms are mild or severe it's crucial to find treatment that helps. This can include psychological therapy or counseling. A professional outside can transform your life. It might take a few counselors to find the one who clicks with you. It's worth the effort. There are several types of psychotherapy. However the majority of them involve discussing your concerns and developing strategies to manage depression. It can also be beneficial to share your experience with other people who are dealing with similar issues. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals or therapists' offices and even via your phone via online health services via telehealth. Counseling for depression aims at changing negative thoughts and behaviors that can contribute to the disorder. A therapist might be able to, for instance, guide you on how to manage stress to improve your mood. You can be taught to recognize the irrational thoughts and challenge preconceptions which make you feel depressed. You could try EMDR (eye movement desensitization and processing) to ease the burden of painful or traumatic memories that may contribute to your depression. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are used to help you recognize your patterns of behavior and make adjustments. For example behavioural activation therapy can be beneficial when depression causes you to withdraw from social activities. The goal is to promote more social interaction and identify the ways in which your actions affect your mood. These approaches are usually used as a complement to medication. You can locate a certified counselor in your local area by asking your doctor to refer you or by calling the community mental health center. 5. Exercise Exercise is a proven way to prevent and treat depression. But it's not generally considered a primary treatment as psychotherapy and medication being more popular. But a growing body of research suggests that exercise may be as effective in treating depression as talk therapies and antidepressants, perhaps even more effective. In fact, it's more effective than psychotherapy or drugs alone according to a meta-analysis of more than 150 studies. The study revealed that people who exercised for depression experienced improvement in their symptoms by an average of five points on one measure, and 6.5 points on another which is clinically significant. The effects were the same regardless of whether they exercised for just a few minutes or an hour every day. Exercise is also an effective alternative to medication or psychotherapy, which might not be appropriate for everyone. And it has the added bonus of keeping us physically fit and helping to ward off other mental health problems, including anxiety. What's more exercising doesn't carry the stigma that can be associated with taking drugs or going to talk therapy. holistic depression treatment is available to everyone, comes with few costs and can be an empowering method. However, it's not easy to study exercise as a medicine as it is difficult to control for things like how much people normally exercise and other medications they are taking. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the optimal amount, frequency, and duration of exercise to prevent and treating depression. To aid in that, doctors and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercises to their patients as part of a treatment plan. The green prescription is a program that encourages patients to be active by contacting a fitness professional frequently via phone or face-to-face.