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Guidelines For Treating Depression The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have issued a variety of guidelines to treat depression. Generally, they advise using exercise, psychotherapy, and antidepressant medication. In general, the guidelines suggest the use of CBT or an SGA prior to starting medications and titrate up dosages according to the need. Patients who are not responding to monotherapy may benefit from augmentation with lithium, psychostimulants or SSRIs. 1. Diagnosis A diagnosis is the first step to treating depression. This includes a discussion 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 past month. They'll also inquire whether you've ever had thoughts of self-harming or contemplating suicide. Your GP may also consider your general health, family background and lifestyle when determining whether you suffer from depression. It is important to be honest and honest with your doctor so they get a complete picture of how you're feeling. This will allow them to recognize the signs of depression. They can then analyze these symptoms to rule out other diseases like heart disease or cancer, that could cause similar symptoms. After your GP has determined that you may have depression and they'll rule out any other conditions with tests. Blood tests, for instance test thyroid or anemia issues which could be the cause of depression. They can also test your blood for vitamin deficiencies, or even drugs and alcohol, which can also mimic depression. If your GP has diagnosed depression The doctor will explain the causes and best treatment options. This could include psychotherapy or a combination between therapy and medication. The most effective drugs for depression are antidepressants, that work by altering the balance of chemicals within the brain. These can be taken orally or through injections, and may take some time before they begin to take effect. They may also cause adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation. 2. Medication Medications can help many people who suffer from depression. Your doctor may first prescribe one or more antidepressants. If the initial treatment doesn't yield a satisfactory result your doctor might suggest that you try another medication or alter the dosage or frequency at which you take it. To get the most out of your medication, it is important to take it regularly. You should not stop taking your medication unless you are instructed to take it off by your physician. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you could be given a prescription for an antidepressant general or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the amount of serotonin, a chemical that is found in the brain. SSRIs include escitalopram, citalopram, and fluoxetine. Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. Examples of SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Khedezla). If your doctor believes tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs or SNRIs, they might prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs may be used safely by children and adolescents. It is recommended to let your doctor know if you have any allergies or health problems before starting medication. Some medications can cause side effects, such as an dry mouth or stomach upset. These side effects are generally minor and will disappear by themselves in around a week. If you're taking medication, don't drive or operate machines until you feel calm and clear. Other recreational drugs and alcohol can worsen some depression symptoms, such as insomnia or restlessness. These substances should not be used since they can make depression more difficult to manage. Continuing to use them, particularly for a prolonged period of time, can also cause more serious issues. 3. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can assist you in dealing 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 clinics for therapists and hospitals, psychiatric clinics and rehabilitation facilities. It's usually one-on-one therapy, but it is also possible to do group therapy. Your Therapist will discuss your emotions, behaviors, and relationships with you in a private and secure environment. During the initial sessions, your therapist gets to get to know you better and suggests a treatment plan. This could include medication, psychotherapy exercise and other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some of them are temporary and focus on specific issues. For instance the interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people understand the root of their issues, like conflicts over unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. Depression can be caused in various ways, ranging from stress to loss and unresolved traumas. They may require a longer-term therapy and other treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive restructuring, aids people to alter their thinking patterns that trigger symptoms. It also improves the ability to cope and help them deal with the stresses and conflicts of life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines CBT elements with mindfulness techniques that assist you in recognizing and observing your emotions. Sometimes, psychological treatment can ease acute moderate to severe depression as effectively as antidepressants can. It can take longer for it to take effect and not everyone will respond in the same manner. It is essential to attend your therapy sessions and to do your homework between sessions (like journaling or meditation). 4. Counseling It is essential to find a treatment that works, regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are not severe. This can include psychological therapy or counseling. A professional outside of your life helping with your feelings can be life-changing. You may need to try different therapists before you discover one who resonates with you However, the effort is worth it. There are many types of psychotherapy, but most involve discussing your problems and learning new strategies to cope with depression. It can also be beneficial to discuss your experiences with a group of others who are experiencing similar issues. Group counseling is available at hospitals, medical clinics and therapists' offices. It is also done on your phone through online telehealth services. Counseling for depression is designed to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause depression. A therapist may be able to, for instance, guide you on how to manage stress in order to improve your mood. You might be taught to recognize thoughts that are not rational and challenge the preconceived notions that cause you to feel depressed. You might use EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to ease the burden of painful or traumatic memories that may contribute to depression. Other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are used to help you recognize your patterns of behavior and make changes. For example, behavioural therapy could be useful if depression makes you withdraw from social activity. The goal is to promote more social interaction and to identify the ways in which your actions affect your mood. These methods are typically used in conjunction with medication. You can locate a certified psychotherapist 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 reduce and treat depression. It's not a typical treatment. Psychotherapy and medications are more commonly used. But a growing body of research suggests that exercising can be as effective at treating depression as talking therapies and antidepressants, or even better. A meta-analysis of over 150 studies found that it was more efficient than drugs or psychotherapy alone. The study revealed that people with depression who exercised noticed their symptoms improving by five points on average on one scale and 6.5 points on another which is clinically significant. depression treatment for adults were the same regardless of whether they exercised for in a few minutes or for an hour each day. Exercise is a great alternative to psychotherapy and medication that aren't suitable for all. It also has the added bonus of keeping us physically fit and preventing other mental health problems like anxiety. Exercise isn't stigmatized as the use of drugs or therapy. It's available to everyone, has few costs attached and can be a very empowering approach. However, it's not easy to research the effects of exercise on a person as it is difficult to control for factors such as how often people typically exercise and the other medications they might be taking. More research is needed to determine the best type, frequency, and duration of exercise to treat and preventing depression. And to help with that, GPs and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercise for their patients as part of a treatment plan. This is known as a “green prescription' and it involves writing a fitness program that is based on the needs of the patient and encouraging them to become active with regular face-to-face or telephone contact with a certified fitness professional like an physical therapist or exercise physiotherapist.