DEPRESSION MEDICAL TREATMENT

Today there are many different treatment options available for depression. However, you should always remember that overcoming depression will take time and you will need to stay strong through some of the more difficult days.

Different types of depression  are caused by biological factors (melancholic depression and psychotic melancholia) and are more likely to need physical treatments, (e.g. antidepressants) and less likely to be resolved with psychological treatments alone (e.g. counseling, psychotherapy). Whereas, non-melancholic depression can be treated equally and effectively with physical treatments or with psychological treatments.

Psychological Treatment:

Psychological treatment is an alternative to medication or it sometimes  works alongside medication and is usually provided by a mental health professional, such as a counselor, psychiatrist or psychologist.  

Generally, psychological treatments or therapies used for depression include Cognitive Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counseling.

Physical treatment:

1) Medication – Medication, to some extent, is successful in managing depression. There are several different types of antidepressant medicines available in the market which are prescribed by doctors or psychiatrists. Each antidepressant medicine works in a different way and has different applications.  Like most other medicine, these medicines too can have side-effects and some medications are better suited to adults than young people.

2) Hospitalization – If your depression is severe or if you have suicidal tendencies, then hospitalization may be necessary for you. You might have to spend a short amount of time in the hospital if you begin taking medication to make sure that it is working effectively or to gauge side effects.  

Alternative Therapies

Along with seeking treatment to manage depression there are a number of things you can do yourself that may help you when you are feeling depressed. Some of these include:

1) Eating well and being active even when you might not feel like it. Exercising and eating well can help when you are feeling down as both stimulate hormones, such as endorphins, which help you feel better about yourself and your life.

2)  Whenever you are experiencing any changes in your emotions you should consider writing them down in a journal or a daily diary. This is not only a great way of understanding your emotions and a specific situation but it also helps you think about alternative solutions to your problems.

3) Always take time out to relax. When you are feeling down it may be hard to be social or motivate yourself to do things, but taking a little time out for yourself each day will help you to make a list of all the things you enjoy doing and then you can plan to do something from this list each day.

4) When you are depressed, it may seem hard, but sharing how you feel and hanging out with someone you trust can help you get through the hard times.

5) Sometimes in a race to be ambitious  you may set goals which are almost unachievable for you and then end up feeling even worse when you do not attain them. Always try to set goals that are achievable for you, even if it's on a day by day, or hour by hour, basis. And after achieving each goal, don’t forget to reward yourself.