There are several different treatment options for those dealing with Depression.
In the past, psychotherapy and prescription medicines were primarily used to
help alleviate and treat the symptoms associated with Depression. Recently, Complimentary
and Alternative Medicines, or CAMs, have gained in popularity as people take
an interest in finding natural alternatives to traditional Western medicine.
The important thing to remember is that what works for one person may not be
right for another. If the first depression treatment option doesn’t suit
the needs of the patient, they should continue their search for the right fit.
There is hope.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy, means speaking with a trained
mental health professional to learn techniques to cope with problems like Depression.
There are different types of mental health professionals including psychiatrists,
psychologists, social workers, and licensed counselors, and there are different
types of psychotherapy as well. Everyone is different, and finding the right
person to talk to is important.
Interpersonal therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral
therapy, and Psychodynamic therapy are some of the therapies that are regularly used to deal with Depression.
Interpersonal therapy focuses on the patient’s disturbed personal relationships
and how these relate to their depression. Cognitive-Behavioral
therapy, or
CBT, helps the Depressed patient change negative thinking patterns and the
behavior associated with Depression. Psychodynamic therapy seeks to resolve
any conflicting feelings experienced by the patient. This last type of therapy
is generally reserved until the patient’s Depressive symptoms have improved.
Medication
There are a wealth of prescription medications available to help alleviate
the symptoms associated with Depression. It is usually recommended that anyone
seeking medical help in dealing with their Depression should also be involved
in some sort of psychotherapy. While medication cannot cure Depression, it
can relieve the symptoms and help the sufferer cope with this disorder. Medications
are on of the most popular depression treatment methods available.
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There are three main classes of anti-depressant medications; selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic
medications, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs).
Tricyclic anti-depressants have been in use since the 1950s. They stabilize
chemical imbalances in the brain by acting on certain neurotransmitters. The
common side effects associated with tricyclic anti-depressants include dry
mouth, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction. Examples
of tricyclic medications include Elavil, Tofranil, and Pamelor.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work by inhibiting the metabolic degradation
of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. While these
medications do increase levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, they
also increase levels of an amine known as tyramine. This will, in turn, cause
a sharp rise in blood pressure, especially after a person has consumed certain
foods. MAOIs are considered a last resort because of their harmful effects
on blood pressure, and they are only used when a patient doesn’t respond
to any other type of medication. If a person is taking an MAOI, strict dietary
guidelines are suggested to lower the risk. Nardil and Parnate are a couple
of common MAOIs.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) affect the availability of
neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which are
all involved in mood stabilization. The SSRIs are the most recent class of
anti-depressants to have been developed, and these medications generally have
fewer side effects than the MAOIs or tricyclics. Some of the SSRIs on the market
include Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac.
Complimentary and Alternative Medicines
Complimentary and Alternative Medicines, or CAMs, are defined as a group of
diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not
presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Many CAM therapies
do have scientific research that demonstrates their effectiveness, but in many
cases there are still key questions yet to be answered regarding their effectiveness
in treating depression.
Acupuncture focuses on balancing Qi, or life energy flow, in the body. Certain
emotions are associated with specific organs, and imbalance in these organ
systems can cause the build-up of negative emotions that must then be released.
Acupuncture seeks to release these emotions and restore balance.
Aromatherapy uses scented essential oils extracted from plants to stimulate
emotional responses in the brain. Common oils that are helpful for those suffering
with depression include rose, sage, jasmine, lavender, sandalwood, and orange.
Exercise isn’t just good for the body; it’s also good for mental
and emotional health. It stimulates the production of neurochemicals that can
elevate mood, and it provides a physical release for pent up emotions including
anger and frustration.
Herbalism is perhaps the oldest form of medicine in existence. Plants often
contain active constituents that can help alleviate the symptoms associated
with depression. Some of the herbs indicated for depression include St. John’s
Wort, Siberian Ginseng, Damiana, and Ginko biloba. These can be found in over-the-counter
herbal supplements. In some cases, the plants can also be brewed into teas.
Yoga, like exercise, can help to release the feelings of anger, frustration,
and irritability that can develop as a result of depression. Combining breathing
exercises with physical movement and concentration, yoga calms the mind and
fosters a new perspective on the current situation.
Integrated Medicine
Integrated medicine combines mainstream medical therapies with Complimentary
and Alternative medical techniques. The physician and the patient work together
to determine which CAMs would best suit the patient’s needs, and they
also decide when to use more traditional medical techniques for depression.
There are a wealth of options for those dealing with depression. Exploring
the different avenues to find the right one is important. The key is to remain
hopeful that a solution can be found.
Author: Nan Little
Website: http://www.insightjournal.com/
Do you experience a persistent sad or “empty” outlook? Have you lost
interest in activities you once enjoyed? Do you avoid family and
friends? Experiencing these symptoms indicates that you may be
depressed. Find out more about depression here.
Research shows that depression can be caused by multiple factors.
Learned behavior, stress, other medical illnesses, gender, a chemical
imbalance, heredity, and personality traits such as a perfectionistic
attitude are all potential factors explored here.
What are the steps to diagnosing a depressive illness? Find out what
your healthcare professional will need to learn in order to determine
whether you have occasional bouts of the blues or an actual depressive
disorder.
What type of person develops a depressive disorder? Learn more about
what researchers have discovered, including genetics, the
‘psychological connection’, other illnesses and stress.
The term "depression" is actually an umbrella term that encompasses
several different types of depressive illnesses. All of these
illnesses share certain characteristics, but they affect each person’s
life differently. Find out more about major depression, bipolar
depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and other types of
depression here.
We can all see the way sunlight affects the seasonal activities of
plants and animals. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be an effect
of this seasonal light variation in humans. Find out more about SAD
here.
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