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Guidelines For Treating Depression There are several different guidelines for treating depression that have been published by the APA, CANMAT, BAP, NICE, and Texas Medication Algorithm Project. They suggest exercise, psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. The guidelines suggest that patients who do not respond to monotherapy, use CBT or SGA prior to starting medication and increase dosages if needed. Augmentation with lithium, psychostimulants, SSRIs or SNRIs or TMAPs can be beneficial in patients who are not responding to monotherapy. 1. Diagnosis The first step in treatment of depression is obtaining a diagnosis. This includes a discussion with an expert in mental health or your doctor, as well as certain forms of therapy. Your GP will inquire about your symptoms, and how they've affected your life over the past month. They'll also ask whether you've ever had thoughts of suicide or self-harm. 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 honest with your doctor so that they can get a true picture of how you are feeling. This will allow them to identify the signs of depression. These symptoms can be used to rule out other diseases such as cancer or heart disease. After your GP has determined that you might be suffering from depression, they'll rule out other conditions through tests. Blood tests, for example test thyroid or anemia problems that could be causing depression. They can also test your blood for vitamin deficiencies, or even alcohol and drugs, which can also mimic depression. If your GP diagnoses depression, he or she will explain the causes and best treatment options. This might include psychotherapy or an array of therapies and medication. Antidepressants are among the most effective drugs to treat depression. They alter the balance of chemicals within the brain. They can be taken either orally or via injections and may take some time before they start to work. The drugs may also cause negative side effects like constipation and dry mouth. 2. Medication Many people can benefit from taking medication. In the beginning, your doctor might prescribe one or more antidepressants. If the initial treatment fails to produce a satisfactory response, your doctor might recommend that you try another medication or alter the dosage or time of day that you take it. It is crucial to take your medication on a regular basis to getting the most benefit. It is not advisable to stop taking your medication unless told to do so by your doctor. Based on the severity of your symptoms, you could be given a prescription for an antidepressant that is general in nature or an SSRI. An SSRI increases the level of serotonin, a chemical that is found in the brain. Examples of SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa) and 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). If your doctor believes tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs and SNRIs, they might prescribe them. SSRIs and SNRIs are typically considered safe for use in children and adolescents. Before you begin any medication, it is important to inform your doctor if there are any allergies or health problems. Some medications can cause side effects like an upset stomach or a dry mouth. Most of the time, these side effects are mild and go away by themselves in a week or two. If you're taking medication, avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel alert and clear. Certain depression-related symptoms, such as restlessness or trouble sleeping, may be worsened by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided as they can make depression more difficult to treat. If you continue to use them, especially for prolonged periods of time, can also lead to more serious problems. 3. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) can assist you in dealing with issues that contribute to depression. This kind of treatment is a long-term one, but has been proven to be effective in treating depression. Psychotherapy is done in various settings such as private therapy offices and hospitals, psychiatric clinics and rehabilitation facilities. It is typically conducted one-on-one but group therapy is possible. Your therapist will ask questions about your emotions, behavior and relationships, and will discuss them with you in a private and confidential environment. During the first few sessions your therapist will begin to know you and suggest a treatment plan. This may include psychotherapy, medication, activity and exercise or other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some of them are short-term and focus on specific issues. For example, interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people understand the root of their issues, like conflicting feelings or grieving over significant others. Depression can be caused by a variety of causes, from stress and loss to unresolved traumas and abuse. These may require longer-term therapy and other treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive restructuring, assists people to change their thinking patterns, which cause symptoms. It also helps improve resilience and helps people deal with the stresses and conflicts of life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) blends CBT elements with mindfulness techniques to help you accept and observe your emotions. Often, psychological treatment can help with acute, moderate or severe depression in the same way that antidepressants can. However, it may take longer to work and not everyone responds to it in the same way. It is important to continue attending therapy sessions and do your homework (like journaling or meditation) between sessions. 4. Counseling It is crucial to find an effective treatment regardless of whether the symptoms of depression are not severe. It is often psychological therapy or counseling. Having depression help with your issues can have a profound impact on your life. You may need to try different therapists before you discover one that clicks with you however, it's worth it. There are a myriad of forms of psychotherapy, but most involve talking about your issues and learning new strategies to cope with depression. It is also beneficial to share your experiences with a group of people who are experiencing similar issues. Group counseling is available at medical clinics, hospitals, therapists' offices, and even over the phone through online telehealth services. Counseling for depression is designed at transforming negative thoughts and behavior that contribute to the condition. A therapist may, for example, coach you on how to manage stress to improve your mood. You may learn to recognize irrational thoughts and question preconceptions that make you feel depressed. You can utilize EMDR to help release painful or traumatic memories that may be contributing to depression. Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation are utilized to help you recognize your patterns of behavior and to make changes. For example, behavioural therapy can be beneficial when depression makes you stop social activities. The aim is to encourage more social interaction and identify the ways in which your actions impact your mood. Generally, these methods are used in conjunction with medication. You can locate a certified therapist in your local area by asking your doctor to refer you or by calling a community mental health center. 5. Exercise Exercise is a well-established method to reduce and treat depression. But it's rarely considered a treatment of choice as psychotherapy and medication being the most popular. But a growing body of research suggests that exercise may be as effective in treating depression as talk therapies and antidepressants, and perhaps even more effective. A meta-analysis of over 150 studies found that it was more effective than psychotherapy or medications alone. The research revealed that, on average those with depression who exercised improved their symptoms by five points using one measure and 6.5 points using another, which is clinically significant. The results were similar regardless of whether they exercised for only a few minutes or an hour per day. Exercise is a great alternative to psychotherapy and medication which are not suitable for all. Exercise can help keep us physically fit and may aid in preventing other mental health issues such as anxiety. Additionally exercising doesn't come with the stigma that can be associated with using drugs or attending therapy. Exercise is available to everyone, comes with few costs and can be a powerful method. However, it's not easy to research the effects of exercise on a person, because it can be difficult to determine the impact of factors such as how often people typically exercise and the other medications they may be taking. Further research is required to determine the best type, frequency and length of exercise to treat and preventing depression. To help patients with depression, GPs are prescribing exercise as a part of their treatment plans. The green prescription is a program designed to encourage patients to be active by contacting a fitness expert frequently via phone or face-to-face.