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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 suggest exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. depression treatment plans recommend using CBT or an SGA prior to starting medications and titrate up dosages as needed. Supplementation with lithium, psychostimulants, SSRIs, SNRIs, or TMAPs may be helpful in patients who fail to respond to monotherapy. 1. Diagnosis The first step to treat of depression is getting an accurate diagnosis. This requires a conversation with your physician or a mental health professional and certain kinds of psychotherapy (talk therapy). Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and how they've impacted your life over the last 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 as well as your family history and lifestyle in determining if you suffer from depression. You should be honest and open with your doctor, so they get a full picture of how you're feeling. This will allow them to recognize the symptoms of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other illnesses like cancer or heart disease. Once your GP has determined that you might be suffering from depression and they'll rule out any other ailments through tests. Blood tests, for example tests for thyroid or anemia-related issues which could be the cause of depression. They can also examine your blood to look for deficiencies in vitamins, alcohol and substances that cause depression. If your GP finds that you have depression, they'll discuss the reasons behind it and the best way to manage it. This could include psychotherapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Antidepressants are the most effective drugs to treat depression. They work by changing the balance of chemicals in the brain. They can be taken orally or through injections, and can take up to several weeks before they begin to work. These medications can also cause side effects such as dry mouth and constipation. 2. Medication The use of medications can benefit many who suffer from depression. At first, your doctor may prescribe one or more antidepressants. If your initial treatment isn't producing an effective response, your doctor might recommend that you try another medication or alter the dosage or time of day you take it. Taking medication regularly is important to getting the most benefit. You should not stop taking your medication unless instructed to do so by your doctor. Based 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. SSRIs include escitalopram and citalopram as well as fluoxetine. Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR or Khedezla). If your doctor believes tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs or SNRIs, they might prescribe them. SSRIs or SNRIs can be used safely by adolescents and children. It is important to inform your doctor if you have any allergies or other health issues before you begin taking medication. Some medications may cause side effects, such as stomach upset or dry mouth. These side effects are generally mild and will resolve by themselves in a week or so. Avoid driving or operating machines if you're taking medication. Certain depression-related symptoms such as restlessness and trouble sleeping, could be made worse by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should not be used because they can make depression more difficult to manage. Continued use, especially over a prolonged period can result in more serious problems. 3. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can help you deal 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 performed in many different settings, including private therapists' clinics, hospitals, offices for rehabilitation and psychiatry facilities. It is usually conducted one-onone but group therapy is possible. Your therapist will ask questions about your emotions, behavior and relationships, and will discuss these with you in a private and confidential setting. In the initial sessions, your therapist gets to get to know you better and suggests a treatment program. This can include psychotherapy, medications, activity and exercises or other treatments such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). Some are short-term and they concentrate on specific issues. For example, interpersonal therapy (IPT) assists people in understanding the root causes of problems, such as conflicts over unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. Depression can be triggered by a range of factors including loss and stress to unresolved traumas, abuse and other issues. They may require more intense therapy as well as other forms of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive restructuring, assists people to change their thinking patterns that trigger symptoms. It also enhances coping skills and helps them deal with the stresses and challenges of daily life. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) blends elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques, which allow you to be aware and accept your emotions. Often, psychological treatment can reduce the severity of acute moderate to severe depression in the same way that antidepressants do. However, it can take longer to effect results, and not everyone responds to it in the same way. It's important to continue to attend therapy sessions and do your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions. 4. Counseling It is crucial to find a treatment that works, regardless of whether your symptoms of depression are not severe. This can be done through counseling or psychological therapy. A professional outside can transform your life. It might take a few counselors to find the one who resonates with you. But it is worth the effort. There are many types of psychotherapy, but most involve talking about your issues 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, therapists' offices, and even on your phone through online Telehealth services. Counseling for depression is aimed to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause depression. For example, a therapist may coach you on ways to manage stress so that your mood improves. You could learn to recognize the irrational thoughts and challenge preconceptions which make you feel down. You can utilize EMDR to help release painful or traumatic memories that may contribute to depression. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are utilized to help you understand your behavior patterns and make adjustments. For example, behavioural therapy could be beneficial when depression makes you avoid social activities. The aim is to motivate you to engage in more social activities and to identify the ways in which your actions affect your mood. These approaches are usually used in conjunction medication. Ask your doctor for a referral or contact a local mental health clinic to locate a therapist who is certified. 5. Exercise The benefits of exercise for preventing and treating depression are well-established. It's not a common treatment. Psychotherapy and medications are more frequently used. Research that is growing suggests that exercise is as effective as antidepressants and talking therapies in treating depression. In fact, it's more effective than either psychotherapy or drugs in its own right, according to a meta-analysis of more than 150 studies. The study found that those with depression who exercised saw their symptoms improve by an average of five points on one measure, and 6.5 points on another that is crucial to clinical research. The results were the same regardless of whether they exercised for only a few minutes or an hour each day. Exercise is a great alternative to psychotherapy or medication which are not suitable for all. And it has the added bonus of keeping us physically healthy and helping us fight off other mental health issues, including anxiety. Additionally, exercise doesn't have the stigma associated with taking drugs or going to therapy. Exercise is accessible to all and is cost-effective and can be an empowering approach. It's still difficult to study exercise as a medicine because it can be difficult for researchers to control variables like how much people exercise regularly and any other medications they might be taking. Therefore, more research is required to understand the optimal amount, frequency, and duration of exercise to prevent and treating depression. In order to aid in this, GPs and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercises to their patients as part of a treatment plan. It's called a 'green prescription', and it involves writing an exercise plan that is based on the needs of the patient and encouraging them to be active with regular face-to-face or phone contact with a trained fitness professional, such as an physical therapist or exercise physiotherapist.