What is the Most Effective Depression Treatment https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/depression-treatment for depression differs from individual to individual Consult your physician about what may work for you It is possible to test a few antidepressants until you discover the one that works for you You may also need to combine antidepressants and psychotherapy or a medication that is used to treat a mental or physical illness like an antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, anti anxiety drug or thyroid hormone Medication For those suffering from mild to moderate depression, medication is usually an effective depression treatment Antidepressants alter the levels of certain brain chemicals that play a role in mood They can also help reduce the frequency of depression-related episodes It is essential to take these medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor They won't work if you don't Doctors suggest starting with an selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitor SSRI like fluoxetine, escitalopram and citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, Zoloft, or vilazodone In numerous clinical trials, these drugs were shown to be more effective that placebo They can have serious side effects, which is why it's very important to talk with your physician before you stop or begin using one of these drugs You may need to try various antidepressants before you find one that works for you You might also need to combine antidepressants with psychotherapy or other treatments For some patients with a severe or life-threatening form of depression electroconvulsive therapy ECT is a possibility The procedure utilizes electrical impulses that cause controlled seizures in the brain It can quickly alleviate depression and is especially effective for people who haven't had success with other treatments The results of an investigation that was conducted recently suggest that a particular form of ECT called high-frequency ECT could be just as effective or even better than conventional ECT at treating refractory depressive disorders Researchers compared HFECT to standard ECT on 23 patients with an history of treatment resistant depression They had tried a variety of other treatments for depression, including exercise and psychotherapy The study revealed that HFECT significantly reduced symptoms of depression and produced fewer side effects than ECT Light therapy is another treatment option for seasonal affective disorder This involves sitting in front of an intense light for around 30 minutes every day A light box or lamp is available for use at home You can also avail light therapy through some health insurance plans, employee assistance programs and churches Healthy eating, exercise, and adequate sleep are all recommended In addition, it's essential to stay clear of alcohol and recreational drugs because they can cause depression and make it harder to receive treatment Psychotherapy Depression can drain your energy and make it difficult to perform the daily tasks But the positive side is that if you seek treatment, your chances of recovering are very high A combination of psychotherapy by a professional and medication can help those suffering from depression Therapists are trained to listen without judgment you, and help you discover your struggles and emotions in a safe and supportive environment They can also help you develop coping skills and increase your self-awareness This can boost your mental wellbeing There are many different kinds of psychotherapy for depression, including cognitive therapy that helps you recognize negative or problematic thinking patterns and learn healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions Behavioral therapy helps you improve your interpersonal relationships, and learn how to manage stress and develop problem-solving abilities Other treatments like acceptance-commitment therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy are frequently used to treat the underlying issues which contribute to depression such as self-injury and persistent suicidal thoughts Psychotherapy can be a helpful option for people suffering from recurring depression who have not responded to medication or who are not able to take antidepressants due to health reasons or allergies In certain instances doctors may suggest alternative or complementary therapies for depression This could include transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS A method that uses a coil placed on the scalp to transmit magnetic pulses that affect the neurotransmitters' functions Psychotherapy can aid family members and friends who are struggling with depression to cope with it Therapy for marital or family members is often recommended for those who are living with a person who is struggling with depression It can reduce tension and stress between family members and give them tools to support their loved family members in a healthy way A trained therapist can also teach them how to help their loved ones overcome depression Exercise Exercise is a secure and cost-effective alternative to other treatments for anxiety and depression It boosts energy, decreases stress, and improves balance and flexibility It can also improve your sleep and boost self-esteem Before beginning a new workout regimen or increasing the intensity, you should consult your doctor In large-scale epidemiological studies, active women and men develop depression at lower rates than people who are sedentary It's more difficult to determine whether exercise can treat depression that already exists You need to study it like you would any other medicine Randomly assigning people suffering from depression to exercise or to a control group, and then monitoring their development The largest study on physical exercise as a treatment for depression to date suggests that it works at least as effectively as standard medication and psychotherapy The study pooled data from 41 studies involving 2,265 people The study revealed that almost all kinds of exercise can help reduce depression symptoms However, some are more effective than others Walking or jogging was the most effective exercise, followed by strength and yoga The benefits grew as the intensity of the exercise increased, indicating that even mild exercise can be beneficial Researchers suspect there are several reasons why exercising can relieve depression One reason is that it assists by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain Another reason is that it enhances certain chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin Other factors are the social support provided by group exercise as well as the psychological motivation that motivates people to exercise If someone is depressed, they typically stop or limit their activities Doctors advise that you attempt to return to your activities as soon as you are able to Practicing them can bring back pleasure and enjoyment which is crucial to beating depression Doing things you enjoy can provide you with an identity and purpose If you're not sure where to begin, check out your local gym or a group fitness class If you suffer from an injury or physical impairment ask your doctor about how to find suitable exercises For more information and interactive resources, Black Dog Institute has an overview of depression and exercise and Beyond Blue offers a template to help you plan your activities Alternative or complementary therapies Mental health issues can be treated using a variety of alternative or 'natural therapies' They include herbal remedies and massage These treatments aren't scientifically tested and can have adverse negative effects They may also interact with other medications, so it is recommended to only use them with the approval of their doctor or therapist There isn't much research into the effectiveness of these therapies and they are not recommended by the Cancer Council Some have been marketed as "cancer cures" but they're not proven They can cause distress or harm to some people, particularly if they attempt to replace medical treatments The most effective treatment for depression typically involves both psychotherapy and medication Psychotherapy is a term used for discussing your feelings with a trained professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist Some types of psychological treatment are more specific to depression than others, but all will aid you in understanding your condition and develop new strategies to manage your depression These include CBT is designed to alter negative thinking patterns and pessimistic assessments that can make depression worse Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships is focused on the relationships in your life and how you interact with them Family therapy and couples therapy can enhance communication within your relationships There are a variety of therapy, such as computer programs and sessions online They're usually cheaper than face-to-face sessions and may be beneficial for some individuals However, not all are suitable for everyone and many are not covered by insurance Ask your therapist about their experiences with these programs and whether one is right for you During a conversation with you, your healthcare provider will review the medications you are taking, including herbal supplements and prescription drugs, to see how they are impacting your depression They will also examine your physical health to see if you have any conditions that can be linked to depression For instance thyroid disease or chronic back pain They will also consider if you have another mental health issue, such as bipolar disorder or personality disorders, could be a cause of your depression