Dealing With Depression
Treatments for Depression Include Antidepressants & Talk Therapy
Depression is a treatable mood disorder. Antidepressants, psychotherapy, & herbal remedies may prevent a relapse, but dealing with depression varies from person to person
Dealing with depression (treatments for depression) can include a combination of antidepressants, talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. The most effective treatment depends on the personality, experiences, and coping styles of person who has depression.
Dealing with depression: psychotherapy prevents relapse
A new study shows that psychotherapy prevents depression from recurring in women. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that once-a-month therapy can prevent it from coming back, if the woman already dealt with depression once without antidepressants or other methods. The therapy, called interpersonal psychotherapy, focuses on relationships and interpersonal events.
The researchers found that once a month therapy was just as effective in preventing a relapse as meeting three or four times a month. If, however, the woman was on antidepressants, relapse was more likely. Psychiatry professor Ellen Frank says, "Studies have shown that when a person recovers from depression by using medication, the best way for them to stay well is to continue on the same dosage of medication." Dealing with depression means staying with the antidepressant dose that works.
However, not everyone can – or wants to – take medication for depression. Pregnancy, other illnesses, personal beliefs, and other medications can influence people away from taking antidepressants (natural treatments for depression may be more effective for them).
Dealing with depression: antidepressants, natural treatments, and electroshock therapy
One person could deal with depression by positive thinking and visualization while another may benefit from a combination of counseling, antidepressant medication, and herbal treatments. Still others dealing with depression could find success in natural treatments alone. For instance, St. John's Wort is found to be successful in dealing with depression in some people – and it has fewer side effects than prescription medication. Even though St. John's Wort is an herbal remedy, always talk to your doctor before taking it because side effects can occur. Be careful when you're dealing with depression, even with natural treatments for depression.
Dealing with depression involves the cause of depression. If, for instance, depression is caused solely by a chemical imbalance such as a lack of dopamine, then perhaps an antidepressant such as Zoloft would be effective. But if the depression is triggered by a loss such as a death or divorce, then psychotherapy may be most beneficial. Dealing with depression depends on the person, circumstances – and even the doctor's beliefs.
Electroshock therapy was more common in the past than it is now, but it is still used to deal with depression. It's reported to be a disaster by some people and a complete success for others. The technology has come a long way, and shock therapy is painless and safe today (back in the day, the muscular contractions could break bones) – though it's still debated in the psychiatric community. It's not a primary treatment, which means it's only used to deal with depression when other medications and psychotherapy haven't been successful.
Dealing with depression: is there a cure for depression?
Some people experience a severe bout of depression and bounce back after a few months of antidepressants. Others deal with depression all their lives, and take herbs or prescriptions to counteract the feelings and fatigue. The trick is to find what works for the person with depression: if it's antidepressants, then which one and how much? If it's psychotherapy – then is it once a month or twice a week?
It depends on your brain chemistry, Big Five Personality Traits, and life situation. There are no easy answers when you're dealing with depression – only experiments, trials, and a little bit of luck.
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