Depression is a dark cloud that permeates every area of your life: your relationships, your job and your ability to do normal day-to-day activities are all interrupted by its devastating effects on your mind and body. Depression isn’t something that you can “snap out” of; it’s a chronic illness that usually requires long-term treatment. Thankfully, there are many depression treatments that can help you regain happiness and control over your life.
How to Treat Depression: Medications
There are a number of medications that are highly effective at treating depression symptoms. The most popular depression medications are antidepressants, which include SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRIs, MAOIs, atypical antidepressants and tricyclic antidepressants. SSRIS are often the starting point for most doctors when they start treating a patient for depression because they are safer and generally cause fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants; however, all of these antidepressants are great ways to treat depression. Your doctor may even suggest other depression medications, such as anti-anxiety medications, mood-stabilizing medications, stimulants or antipsychotic medications. Sometimes these medications are combined with antidepressants or other medications for better effect, which is a strategy known as “augmentation.”
How to Treat Depression: Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (or “talk therapy”) is another great way to treat depression, and is often used in conjunction with medication. Psychotherapy can help ease depression symptoms and help you regain a sense of happiness and control over your life.
There are several types of psychotherapy that are very effective at treating depression, including cognitive behavioral therapy (the most commonly used therapy), interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic therapy. These counseling sessions will allow you to talk about your condition and related issues with a mental health professional who will help uncover the root cause of your depression. You will then learn how to change unhealthy behaviors or thoughts and replace them with better ways to cope and solve problems.
How to Treat Depression: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is a well-established, although controversial treatment, in which electrical currents are passed through the brain. Today, ECT is most commonly used to treat patients with severe depression who don’t get better with medications or at a high risk of suicide. It is also used as a safe alternative to medications for women who are pregnant or elderly individuals who can’t take antidepressants for health reasons.
How to Treat Depression: Natural and Holistic Remedies
In addition to medications and psychiatric treatment, there are a variety of natural and holistic depression treatments that can help you feel better. These include herbal and natural supplements (such as St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba, passion flower and rhodiola, 5-HTP, SAMe), yoga, meditation, massage (for an additional cost)and acupuncture. Even lifestyle changes like exercising more and changing your diet can improve your mood and help you feel happier and more relaxed.
How to Treat Depression: Residential Treatment
Residential treatment for depression is a great way to get the support and counseling you need while you get your symptoms under control. During residential treatment you’ll have access to mental health providers, medications, psychotherapy and other types of depression treatment in a safe environment away from the stresses of daily life at home.
At Casa Palmera, we believe in treating depression and other mood disorders with traditional treatments like therapy and medications, but we also believe in a holistic approach that uses the healing power of natural depression treatments. Call Casa Palmera today and ask how our holistic depression treatment program can return you to a healthy mind, body and emotional state of well-being
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