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Guidelines For Treating Depression The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have published several guidelines for treating depression. They suggest exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs. The guidelines generally recommend the use of CBT or an SGA before starting on medications and gradually increasing dosages according to the need. Patients who are not responding to monotherapy could benefit from augmentation with lithium, psychostimulants or SSRIs. 1. Diagnosis The first step in treatment of depression is getting an accurate diagnosis. This can be done by having a conversation with a mental health professional or a doctor, and some forms of talk therapy. Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life over the last month. They'll also ask whether you've had any thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Your GP will also look at your general health, family history and life style to determine if you have depression or another mental health issue. It is essential to be honest and honest with your GP, so they can get the most precise picture of what's going on for you. This will enable them to identify the symptoms of depression. They can then utilize these symptoms to rule out other diseases such as heart disease or cancer, which may cause similar symptoms. After your GP has concluded that you may have depression and they'll rule out any other illnesses with tests. Blood tests, for instance tests for thyroid or anemia problems which could be the cause of depression. They can also test your blood for deficiencies in vitamins or the presence of alcohol and drugs which may also be a sign of depression. If your GP has diagnosed depression The doctor will explain the cause and best treatment options. This could involve psychotherapy, or a combination of therapy and medication. The most effective drugs for depression are antidepressants, which alter the balance of chemical substances in the brain. They can be taken either orally or via injections and may take some time before they begin to take effect. These drugs can also have negative side effects like constipation and dry mouth. 2. Medication Medications can help many people suffering from depression. Your doctor might initially prescribe one or more antidepressants. If the initial treatment doesn't produce a satisfactory result your doctor might suggest you try a different medication or that you change the dosage or frequency at which you take it. Taking medication regularly is important to reap the maximum benefits. Don't stop taking your medication without a doctor's permission. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you could be given a prescription for a general antidepressant or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the level of serotonin, a chemical in the brain. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa) as well as the escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor XR or Khedezla). Other antidepressants, including tetracyclics can be prescribed if a doctor believes that these medications would be more effective than an SSRI or SNRI. SSRIs and SNRIs are typically considered safe for use by children and adolescents. Before you begin any medication, it is important to inform your doctor if you are any allergies or health problems. The medication can trigger side effects such as an upset stomach or dry mouth. Most of the time, these side effects are mild and go away on their own within a week or two. If you're taking medication do not drive or operate machinery until you feel alert and clear. Some depression symptoms such as restlessness and trouble sleeping, may be worsened by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided, as they can make depression harder to treat. Continuing to use them, especially for prolonged periods of time, could cause more serious issues. 3. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can help you address issues that are causing your depression. This kind of treatment can be long-term, however it has been proven effective for many people with depression. Psychotherapy can be done in many different settings such as private therapy offices as well as hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually conducted one-onone however group therapy is also possible. Your therapist will discuss your feelings behavior, thoughts, and relationships with you in a private and secure environment. During the first few sessions your therapist will begin to know you better and suggest a treatment plan. This may include medication, psychotherapy exercise 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 example IPT, or interpersonal therapy (IPT) assists people in understanding underlying problems such as conflicts over unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. Depression can be caused by a variety of causes including loss and stress to unresolved traumas, abuse and other issues. They may require a longer-term therapy and other treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change patterns of thinking that cause their symptoms and improve the ability to cope so that they can manage life's stress and conflicts. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a combination of CBT elements with mindfulness techniques that allow you to accept and be aware of your emotions. Psychological treatment can often be more effective than antidepressants in treating depression in acute cases. However, it may take longer to effect results and not everyone responds in the same way. It is important to continue to attend therapy sessions and do your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions. 4. Counseling It is essential to find the right treatment, regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are not severe. This can be done through counseling or psychotherapy. A professional outside can change your life. It might take a few counselors to find the one who is a good fit for you. It's worth the effort. There are several types of psychotherapy. However, the majority involve talking about your issues and developing strategies to manage depression. You may also find it beneficial to discuss your experience with other people who are dealing with similar struggles. Group counseling is available at hospitals, medical clinics or therapists' offices and even via your phone through online Telehealth services. Counseling for depression aims to change negative thoughts and behavior patterns 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 irrational thought patterns and challenge preconceptions which make you feel down. You might use EMDR (eye movement desensitization and processing) to help you get rid of painful or traumatic memories that may contribute to your depression. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are utilized to help you understand your patterns of behavior and make changes. For instance, behavioural therapy could be beneficial if depression causes you to avoid social activities. The aim is to motivate you to participate in more social activities and to determine the way your actions impact your mood. These strategies are usually employed as a complement to medication. Ask your doctor for a referral or call the local mental health center in your community to find a qualified therapist. 5. Exercise Exercise is a well-established method to reduce and treat depression. It's not a standard treatment. The use of medication and psychotherapy is more frequently used. Research that is growing suggests exercise is as effective as antidepressants and talking therapies in treating depression. In fact, it's more effective than either psychotherapy or medication by itself, according to a meta-analysis of more than 150 studies. The study found that on average, those suffering from depression who exercised improved their symptoms by five points with one measure and 6.5 points using another, which is clinically significant. And the effects were potent regardless of whether they exercised for just a few minutes a day or more than an hour a day. Exercise is an excellent alternative to psychotherapy or medications, which are not suitable for all. And it has the added benefit of keeping us physically fit and preventing other mental health issues like anxiety. Exercise isn't stigmatized as the use of drugs or therapy. It's accessible to everyone, comes with no costs and can be an extremely positive approach. But depression help 's still a challenge to research the effects of exercise on a person due to the fact that it's difficult to monitor things like how much people typically exercise and the other medications they might be taking. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the optimal type, frequency and duration of exercise for preventing and treating depression. In order to aid in this, GPs and other health professionals are increasingly prescribing exercises for their patients as part of a treatment plan. It's referred to 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 by maintaining regular face-to-face or phone contact with a trained fitness professional such as an physical therapist or exercise physiotherapist.