Different treatments for major depression

Depression has become a common health condition in most of the developed countries. As per the available statistics more than twenty percent of the populations of these countries are affected by this health problem. Patients of depression are normally manages by the doctors as out patients. Severe attacks of depression where a patient shows tendencies to harm himself or others may require hospitalization.

Medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy are the most commonly indicated treatments for depression. Brain stimulation and alternative treatment are the other treatment modes that are yet to be developed in this area of treatment.

Doctors normally prefer psychotherapy for the patients who come under the age group of 18. A combination of medication and psychotherapy may be required in patients of the same age if they come with a familial history of depression.

Different methods of psychotherapy are now used to treat the patients of depression. Cognitive psychotherapy is the most commonly used talk therapy for depression by doctors. Cognitive psychotherapy or CBT is mainly used to identify the negative thoughts, pessimistic attitude and negative beliefs of the patient. Interpersonal therapy, psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy are the other commonly used psychotherapy methods by the doctors to treat depression.

Interpersonal therapy mainly focuses on the problem arising out of the social or interpersonal interactions of the patient. This therapy can be used to develop the interactions of the patient with other members in the society by developing his/her interpersonal skills. Psychoanalysis experts attempt to identify the unconscious mental conflicts within the patient. Psychodynamic psychotherapy also follows the same line. It gives more importance to the additional social and interpersonal activities of an individual.

A large number of prescription anti depressants are available to treat depression. These medicines are also found as effective as psychotherapy in depression patients. But many patients stop taking these medications before they get complete relief due to the side effects.

Anti depressants medicines are classified into different categories on the basis of the affect that it makes on the biochemicals that cause mood variations in the brain. Some doctors prescribe a combination of different medicines for their patients after evaluating the gravity of the problem faced by the patients. The family history of depression of the patient also plays a crucial role in prescribing the dosage of the medicine.

Almost all the antidepressants used for treating depression can cause unwarranted side effects. One who takes such medicines should learn to cope with the side effects of the medicines he takes. Any attempt to withdraw the medicines without consulting the doctor may cause even more serious problems.

Alternative treatments for Depression

A large number of alternative medicines strategies are now available to replace the prescription drugs used for treating depression. A large number of patients who want to avoid the side effects of prescription antidepressants are found to be interested in experimenting with these alternatives to them that are now available. These branches of medicines that go parallel to the modern medicine include mind-body techniques, nutritional and dietary supplements.

The light therapy or phototherapy used to treat problems like acne vulgaris, delayed sleep phase syndrome and seasonal affective disorder are now found to be useful in the treating of non-seasonal depression also. Light therapy consists of exposure to specific wavelengths of light. It makes use of lasers, LED, fluorescent lamps etc to get the desirable wavelength of light. Daylight at a specific time of a day can also be used in this treatment.

Acupuncture is also used by many to reduce the symptoms of depression. Whether acupuncture is effective in treating depression or not is a question yet to be answered by the scientists. Exercise, if combined with medication is found to be effective in preventing the return of depression. To get the benefit, one has to do a minimum of 30 minutes brisk walking at least three days a week. Vigorous exercising is also found to be effective in reducing the stress and to counter depression. Improved stamina and fitness will help a person to develop his self-esteem. Experts recommend exercise in natural surroundings to get more benefits for a patient.

Alterative treatment for depression includes a large number of dietary and nutrition supplements. Unfortunately, the dietary and nutritional supplements that come with an antidepressant label in our market are not regulated or tested by any authorities. The purity, effectiveness and safety of these medicines are not subjected to the control of authorities. One who consumes such drugs is doing so at his own risk. One should ensure that the dietary supplements he takes do not interact with the prescription medicines he uses before he starts taking them. It is always good to consult your doctor to rule out the possibilities of chemical interaction of these medicines and the medicines you take regularly for other health problems. The most commonly used nutritional or dietary supplements for depression include St.John’s wort, SAM-e AND Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

The benefits of deep brain stimulation used by many doctors now to treat depression are yet to be revealed through scientific studies. Alterative depression treatment also makes use of various mind-body techniques to get rid of the symptoms of this health problem. The major mind-body techniques that are used for improving the condition of a depression patient include Yoga, meditation, guided imagery and message therapy.