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Guidelines For Treating Depression The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have released a number of guidelines for treating depression. They generally recommend using psychotherapy, exercise, and antidepressant medication. In general, the guidelines suggest using CBT or an SGA prior to beginning treatment and gradually increasing dosages as needed. Augmentation with lithium, psychostimulants, SSRIs, SNRIs, or TMAPs could be beneficial for patients who do not respond to monotherapy. 1. Diagnosis A diagnosis is the first step to treating depression. This involves a discussion with your physician or mental health professional and some kinds of psychotherapy (talk therapy). Your GP will inquire about your symptoms, and how they've affected your life over the last month. They will also ask if you have ever had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP will also take into consideration your general health lifestyle, family background and personal history in determining if you suffer from depression. It is important to be honest and open with your doctor so that they can get a true picture of how you are feeling. This will help them to identify the signs of depression. They can then analyze these symptoms to rule out other conditions, such as heart disease or cancer, that could cause similar symptoms. If your GP decides that you may have depression, he or they will run tests to rule out any other ailments. For example blood tests can test for thyroid or anemia that could be the cause of your depression. They'll also test your blood for vitamin deficiencies, or even drugs and alcohol that can mimic depression. If your GP determines that you suffer from depression, they'll tell you the reasons behind it and the best way to treat it. This could involve psychotherapy or the combination of medications and therapies. Antidepressants are the most effective medication to treat depression. They work by altering the balance of chemicals in the brain. They can be taken either orally or via injections and may take a few weeks before they begin to work. They can also trigger adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation. 2. Medication Many people benefit from medication. Your doctor may initially prescribe a medication or a combination of antidepressants. If the initial treatment does not yield a satisfactory result, your doctor may recommend you try a different medication or to alter the dosage or time that you take it. To get the most out of your medication, it is crucial to take it on a regular basis. You should not stop taking your medication unless you are advised to take it off by your physician. Depending on your symptoms, a general antidepressant may be prescribed or an SSRI. An SSRI boosts the levels of serotonin, a chemical that is found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa) as well as 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, including tetracyclics, can be prescribed if your doctor thinks that these medications would be more efficient than an SSRI or an SNRI. SSRIs and SNRIs are generally considered safe for use in children and adolescents. Before starting any medication, it is important to inform your doctor if there are any allergies or health problems. Medication can cause side effects like stomach upset or dry mouth. In general, they are minor and disappear on their own within one or two weeks. If you're taking a medication, don't drive or operate machines until you feel calm and clearheaded. Certain symptoms of depression like restlessness or trouble sleeping, may be made worse by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should not be used because they can make depression more difficult to treat. In the case of continued use, particularly for a long time, can lead to more serious issues. 3. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you address issues that are contributing to your depression. This type of treatment is long-term but has been shown to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy can be done in various settings, including private therapists' offices, hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually done one-on-one but group therapy is also a possibility. Your therapist will inquire about your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, and discuss them with you in a private and confidential environment. In the initial sessions, your therapist gets to know you better and recommends an appropriate treatment plan. This may include psychotherapy, medication as well as exercises and other treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some are short-term, and they focus on specific issues. For instance, interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people understand underlying problems such as conflicts over unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. depression help can manifest in many ways, ranging from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. These may require longer-term therapy and other treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists people in changing patterns of thinking that contribute to their ailments and to improve their the ability to cope so that they can manage life's stress and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines CBT elements with mindfulness techniques to assist you in recognizing and observing your emotions. Sometimes, psychological treatment can reduce the severity of acute moderate to severe depression just as antidepressants do. It may take longer for it to work and not everyone responds in the same manner. It is crucial to attend your therapy sessions as well as to complete your homework between sessions (like journaling or meditating). 4. Counseling It's important to find the right treatment, regardless of whether your symptoms of depression are not severe. Most often, this means psychotherapy or counseling. A professional outside can alter your life. It could take a number of therapists to find the one who is a good fit for you. It's worth the effort. There are a myriad of forms of psychotherapy, but most involve talking about your issues and learning new strategies to cope with depression. It can also be helpful to discuss your experiences with a group of people who have similar issues. Group counseling is offered at hospitals, medical clinics or therapists' offices and even on your phone using online telehealth services. Counseling for depression is designed to alter negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to the condition. A therapist could, for example, coach you on how to manage stress in order to improve your mood. You may learn to recognize irrational thoughts and question preconceptions that make you feel down. You can use EMDR to help release painful or traumatic memories that may contribute to depression. Other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioural activation therapy, are used to help you recognize and alter your behaviour patterns. For example the behavioural therapy is beneficial if depression causes you to stop social activities. The aim is to encourage you to participate in more social activities and to identify the ways in which your actions affect your mood. These methods are typically used in conjunction medication. You can find a qualified counselor in your area by asking your doctor to refer you or calling a community mental health center. 5. Exercise The benefits of exercise in the prevention and treatment of depression are well-established. It's not a typical treatment. Psychotherapy and medications are more commonly utilized. However, a growing body research suggests that exercise may be as effective at treating depression as psychotherapy and antidepressants, and perhaps even more effective. A meta-analysis of over 150 studies showed that it was more effective than psychotherapy or drugs alone. The study revealed that people who exercised for depression experienced improvement in their symptoms by five points on average on one scale and 6.5 points on another, which is clinically important. And the results were significant regardless of whether they exercised for just an hour or so or for more than an hour per day. Exercise can also be a good alternative to medication or psychotherapy, but it may not be suitable for all. Exercise can also help keep our bodies fit and aid in preventing other mental health issues, such as anxiety. Additionally exercising doesn't come with the stigma that can be associated with taking drugs or attending therapy. It's accessible to everyone, has few costs and can be an extremely positive approach. However, it's still difficult to research the effects of exercise on a person due to the fact that it's difficult to determine the impact of factors such as how often people typically exercise and the other medications they may be taking. Further research is required to determine the best type, frequency and length of exercise for treating and combating depression. To help those suffering from depression, GPs are prescribing exercise as a part of their treatment plans. The green prescription is a program that aims to encourage patients to be active by contacting a fitness professional regularly by phone or face-toface.