Are you also tired of feeling sad, anxious, and unable to focus on anything? Sometimes it may feel like you're fighting these feelings alone. But you're not alone. Depression is a treatable condition. Getting help for it is not a weakness, it's the greatest strength you can give yourself. So let's see what treatments are available for it.
How do you choose the treatment that's right for you?
When treating depression, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. It's like tailoring a suit, it has to be tailored to fit you. Your doctor will determine the best treatment plan for you based on the type of depression you have and its severity.
There are usually several main parts to this treatment plan:
- Psychotherapy: This involves talking about your problems with a trained mental health counselor .
- Medication: Medications called antidepressants.
- Exercise: Physical activity has a very positive effect on the mind.
Sometimes these things alone may not provide enough relief. But don't worry. If that's the case, your doctor may also consider brain stimulation treatments, such as `(Electroconvulsive Therapy - ECT)`.
The most important thing is patience. It may take some time to find the right medication and dosage for you. Also, try to find a doctor or therapist who is easy to talk to and who understands you best. Being patient and open-minded as you go through this journey will go a long way in helping you recover quickly.
How do antidepressants work?
We call these types of medications antidepressants . They help reduce your sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety and improve your mood.
Simply put, it has to do with the chemical messengers in our brain. There are three main chemicals that help regulate our mood. They are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine . Research has found that in the brain of someone with depression, the circuits that use these chemicals don't work properly. Antidepressants work by manipulating the activity of these chemicals to some extent and getting those circuits working properly again. That's what makes your mood better.
How long do I need to take this medicine?
Often, your doctor will advise you to continue taking your medication for a while after you feel better. This is to reduce the risk of your symptoms coming back. How long you need to take your medication will depend on your symptoms, how well they have improved, and whether you have had depression before. So don't stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to.
What are the main types of antidepressants?
There are several types of antidepressants. If you are taking any other medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbs, you should definitely tell your doctor about them, as some medications can interact with each other.
Let's understand these main types of medications from the table below.
| Type of medicine | How it works simply | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) | The type most commonly recommended by doctors. It improves the use of a chemical called serotonin in the brain. | Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Citalopram, Escitalopram |
| SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) | It affects the function of both brain chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine. | Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, Desvenlafaxine |
| Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) | These are a slightly older type of medication. Although they work just as well as SNRIs, they are not given first because they have a bit more side effects. | Amitriptyline, Imipramine |
| MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) | These are the first antidepressants to be introduced. They are only given if other medications have not helped. While taking these medications, you should completely avoid certain foods, such as cheese and aged meat, and certain medications (such as painkillers). | Phenelzine, Isocarboxazid, Selegiline (patch) |
Psychotherapy is a great strength.
As well as medication, and sometimes more so, talk therapy is a very effective treatment for depression. It is also called ``Talk Therapy.'' This involves you meeting with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other trained mental health counselor to talk about your feelings.
The aim of this therapy is to:
- Helping you understand what is causing your depression.
- Teaching you how to control your emotions and cope with them.
- Teaching new ways to face life's challenges.
Different methods of talk therapy
This therapy can also be done in a way that suits you.
- Individual therapy: Only you and the therapist participate.
- Group therapy: Talking to others who are going through the same problems as you is a great way to feel empowered and realize that you are not alone.
- Couples therapy: Helps your partner understand your situation.
- Family therapy: Teaches you how your family can support you.
Among the main treatment approaches , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy are the most popular. CBT helps you identify your negative thought patterns and change them.
What are other treatment options?
In addition to medication and talk therapy, there are several other treatment options.
Exercise
Exercise is a great treatment for mild depression. Exercising for 45-60 minutes, 3-5 days a week, can help reduce symptoms. But keep in mind, you may need medication or therapy along with exercise.
Brain Stimulation Therapies
These are used for very severe depressive conditions that have not responded to any other treatment.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Although the name may sound scary, this is a very safe and advanced treatment. It is done while you are fully sedated and asleep. A doctor sends a very short, painless electric shock to your brain. It is used to provide quick results to patients who are at risk of harming themselves because other treatments take longer to work.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): This involves placing a magnetic coil over the skull and stimulating the parts of the brain that control mood. It does not require anesthesia.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): A small device is surgically implanted under the skin of the chest, which stimulates the vagus nerve in the neck.
All of these treatments are done under the supervision of specialist doctors. Your doctor will decide whether you need them or not.
Take-Home Message
- Depression is not a weakness, it is a treatable illness.
- It may take some time to find the right treatment (medication, therapy) for you, so be patient.
- Never start, stop, or change the dosage of medication without consulting your doctor.
- Tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are taking.
- Talk therapy and exercise are just as important parts of treatment as medication.
- Asking for help is empowering. There are people who can help you. You are not alone.
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