Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for chronic depression

by Mrs. Candida Heathcote Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Webmd.com

1. Get in a routine...setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track...

2. Exercise...regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways, cook says...

3. Get enough sleep...

4. Take on responsibilities...

5. Challenge negative thoughts...

6. Check with your doctor before using supplements...

Learn More...

Healthline.com

1. St. johns wort...taking st. johns wort has been linked with increasing the amount of serotonin in the body...

2. Omega-3 fatty acids...its ideal to get a higher ratio of dha to epa, which are both types of omega-3 fatty acids...

3. Saffron...

4. SAM-e...

5. Folate...

6. Zinc...

Learn More...

Top10homeremedies.com

1. St. johns wort...it has chemical constituents like hypericin and hyperforin that work like antidepressants...

2. Cardamom...help detoxify the body and rejuvenate the cells...

3. Nutmeg...helps stimulate your brain, eliminate fatigue and stress...

4. Saffron...

5. Cashews...

6. Fish Oil...

7. Apples...

Learn More...

What is the best medication for chronic depression?

  • Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This type of treatment uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. ...
  • Ketamine is a medication that's delivered through an IV in low doses. ...
  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ...
  • Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). ...

How effective is EMDR for depression treatment?

that compared EMDR therapy to typical prolonged exposure therapy, found that EMDR therapy was more effective in treating symptoms. The study also found that EMDR therapy had a lower dropout rate from participants. Both, however, offered a reduction in the symptoms of traumatic stress, including both anxiety and depression.

What are the new medications for depression?

When treating depression, several drugs are Vortioxetine (Trintellix formerly Brintellix) and vilazodone (Viibryd) are newer medicines that both acts as When treating anxiety disorders, antidepressants, particularly the SSRIs and some SNRIs.

What are the signs of chronic depression?

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)

  • Overview. Persistent depressive disorder, also called dysthymia (dis-THIE-me-uh), is a continuous long-term (chronic) form of depression.
  • Symptoms. Persistent depressive disorder symptoms usually come and go over a period of years, and their intensity can change over time.
  • Causes. ...
  • Risk factors. ...
  • Complications
  • Prevention. ...

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Is there a way to cure chronic depression?

There's no cure for depression, but you still have plenty of options for treatment, all of which can improve your symptoms and minimize their impact on your daily life.

What is considered the most effective treatment for depression?

Many experts agree that a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy is the best treatment for severe clinical depression.

What is the most widely used treatment for depression?

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most often prescribed type of antidepressant. They improve how brain circuits use serotonin. Examples include: Citalopram (Celexa ).

What is the new treatment for depression?

On March 5, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first new medication for major depression in decades. The drug is a nasal spray called esketamine, derived from ketamine—an anesthetic that has made waves for its surprising antidepressant effect.

What is the best antidepressant for persistent depressive disorder?

Antidepressants recommended for this disorder are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs such as fluoxetine), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs such as venlafaxine), mirtazapine and bupropion.

What is the #1 antidepressant?

Zoloft is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant; nearly 17% of those surveyed in the 2017 antidepressant use study reported that they had taken this medication.

What is better antidepressants or therapy?

For anxiety disorders, cognitive-behavioral therapy, antidepressant medications and anti-anxiety medications have all been shown to be helpful. Research generally shows that psychotherapy is more effective than medications, and that adding medications does not significantly improve outcomes from psychotherapy alone.

Is depression a treatable condition?

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

What is the best treatment for depression?

Based on these and other studies, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends psychotherapy or medication as first-line treatments for mild to moderate depression; for individuals with more severe depression they recommend a combination of both. 2.

How long does a person with depression need to be treated?

Thus the full course of treatment may last from 3 to 6 months, and longer in some cases if needed . The APA recommends that those with a long history of depression continue to receive therapy on an ongoing basis, often with a reduction in frequency of sessions.

What are the causes of depression?

The basic version of the theory was that depression was caused by low levels of neurotransmitters in the brain—chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine. If these biological factors were driving depression, it made sense to assume that the best way to fix the underlying problem was with a biological solution.

Is CBT a serious treatment?

Thus treatments like cognitive behavioraltherapy (CBT) were considered to be possibly useful additions to medication, but not serious treatments in their own right (except perhaps for brief, mild forms of depression).

Is CBT a good addition to medication?

Thus treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) were considered to be possibly useful additions to medication, but not serious treatments in their own right (except perhaps for brief, mild forms of depression). When I was in graduate school I thought the chemical imbalance theory was true. So when I reviewed a wide range ...

Is mental health treatment cheap?

Good treatment is not cheap, and the cost varies greatly depending on several factors: Insurance coverage. Many mental health professionals practice outside of insurance networks because of the low payments in-network providers must agree to and the administrative burden, among other factors.

Is depression a generic drug?

The vast majority of drugs used to treat depression are available in generic form, making them much more affordable than brand- name medication. Insurance coverage might also vary depending on the drug, which can greatly affect the cost of treatment. Length of treatment.

How to help depression?

But in addition to professional treatment, these self-care steps can help: Stick to your treatment plan. Don't skip psychotherapy sessions or appointments. Even if you're feeling well, don't skip your medications.

How to deal with depression and change behaviors?

Identify negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. Explore relationships and experiences, and develop positive interactions with others. Find better ways to cope and solve problems. Identify issues that contribute to your depression and change behaviors that make it worse.

What is the term for depression that begins a week before your period?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This involves depression symptoms associated with hormone changes that begin a week before and improve within a few days after the onset of your period, and are minimal or gone after completion of your period. Other depression disorders.

What tests can a doctor do for depression?

Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health. In some cases, depression may be linked to an underlying physical health problem. Lab tests. For example, your doctor may do a blood test called a complete blood count or test your thyroid to make sure it's functioning properly. Psychiatric evaluation.

Why do people need hospitalization for depression?

This may be necessary if you can't care for yourself properly or when you're in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else. Psychiatric treatment at a hospital can help keep you calm and safe until your mood improves.

Can depression therapy be done online?

Formats for depression therapy as an alternative to face-to-face office sessions are available and may be an effective option for some people. Therapy can be provided, for example, as a computer program, by online sessions, or using videos or workbooks. Programs can be guided by a therapist or be partially or totally independent.

Can you go to the hospital for depression?

However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. If you have severe depression, you may need a hospital stay, or you may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until your symptoms improve.

How to reduce depression symptoms?

Meditation is also an effective technique in reducing certain depression symptoms, especially when practiced with mindfulness. A mental health professional may suggest other treatments, but that’s after you speak with them. The first step to feeling better is making an appointment.

What is chronic depression?

Put simply, chronic depression is an ongoing version of depression. The condition goes by several other names, including persistent depressive disorder, dysthymia or chronic major depression. Chronic depression was mistaken for a personality disorder in the past, but the difference is that chronic depression is something that can be changed, ...

What Is Depression?

Depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is a mood disorder characterized by down or sad thoughts on an ongoing basis.

What is the medication that modifies the serotonin levels in the brain?

Antidepressants are medications that modify the serotonin levels in your brain and how your neurons interact to regulate depression.

What is the most common mental illness?

There are different types of depression, including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which plagues people during the dreary winter months. And then there are the more common (and year-round) forms of the mental health condition: major depression and persistent depressive disorder. Major depression is typically characterized as moderate ...

How long does depression last?

Major depression is typically characterized as moderate to severe when it lasts for periods of around two weeks. Persistent depressive disorder, though, is different—it’s chronic.

What does it mean when you are depressed?

A depressed person may also use illegal substances and act recklessly, lose interest in things once enjoyed, have suicidal thoughts or feel hopeless.

What is the best treatment for depression?

Psychological counseling. Psychological counseling (psychotherapy) by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional can be very effective. For many people, psychotherapy combined with medication works best. It can help identify underlying concerns that may be adding to your depression.

What type of therapy is used to help with depression?

Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on resolving relationship issues that may contribute to your depression. Family or marital therapy. This type of therapy involves family members or your spouse or partner in counseling. Working out stress in your relationships can help with depression.

What is ECT therapy?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). While you're asleep, a carefully measured dose of electricity is passed through your brain, intentionally triggering a small, brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can relatively quickly reverse symptoms of major depression. Although there are potential side effects, such as temporary confusion or temporary memory loss, a series of ECT treatments may provide significant relief of severe depression.

What to ask a psychiatrist about depression?

Consider your response to treatment, including medications, psychotherapy or other treatments you've tried.

What to do if counseling doesn't work?

If counseling doesn't seem helpful, talk to your psychotherapist about trying a different approach. Or consider seeing someone else. As with medications, it may take several tries to find a treatment that works. Psychotherapy for depression may include:

What are some physical conditions that can cause depression?

Consider physical health conditions that can sometimes cause or worsen depression, such as thyroid disorders, chronic pain or heart problems

How to help someone with depression?

If you have trouble sleeping, research ways to improve your sleep habits or ask your doctor or mental health professional for advice. Get regular exercise. Exercise has a direct effect on mood. Even physical activity such as gardening or walking can reduce stress, improve sleep and ease depression symptoms.

Why do older people need a lower dose of meds?

Age. As you age, your body tends to break down drugs more slowly. Thus, older people may need a lower dose. For children, only a few medications have been studied carefully.

Can alcohol cause depression?

Alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and other substances can cause depression and make antidepressants less effective. Doctors often treat alcohol or drug addiction first if they believe either is causing the depression. In many instances, simultaneous treatment for addiction and depression is warranted.

Can you take a higher dose of antidepressants?

If you or a member of your family has had a good response to a medication in the past, that information may guide your choice. Depending on the nature and course of your depression (for example, if your depression is long-lasting or difficult to treat), you may need a higher dose or a combination of drugs. This may also be true if an antidepressant has stopped working for you, which may occur after you've used it for some time or after you've stopped and restarted treatment with it.

What types of therapy can be used for depression?

Psychotherapy can be an essential part of treatment for major depression. It may be used on its own or together with antidepressant medication. Psychotherapy may help within a few weeks. Or, it can take longer depending on your situation.

What medications can be prescribed for depression?

There are many antidepressant medications to treat depression. You and your provider will work together to find a medication or combination of medications that reduce your symptoms. The types of medications used to treat depression include:

What treatments are available for ‘treatment-resistant’ depression?

Sometimes, antidepressant medication and therapy don’t work well enough. People may not improve even after trying different medications. This is sometimes called “ treatment-resistant” depression or refractory depression. It may occur in up to 30% of people with depression .

What natural treatments can help for major depressive disorder?

Some natural and over-the-counter supplements may help for depression. It’s important to note that while these may help some mild forms of depression, they likely will not be effective in treating major depression.

What lifestyle changes might help treat major depressive disorder?

There are some important lifestyle changes and daily habits that can help manage your depression symptoms. These include:

Where can you find healthcare providers for depression treatment?

If you think you may have depression, reach out to a healthcare provider. You can start with your primary care provider (PCP). They might be able to provide a referral to a qualified mental health professional.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

  • Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. If you have severe depression, you may need a hospital st...
See more on mayoclinic.org

Clinical Trials

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
See more on mayoclinic.org

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

  • Depression generally isn't a disorder that you can treat on your own. But in addition to professional treatment, these self-care steps can help: 1. Stick to your treatment plan.Don't skip psychotherapy sessions or appointments. Even if you're feeling well, don't skip your medications. If you stop, depression symptoms may come back, and you could also experience withdrawal-lik…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Alternative Medicine

  • Alternative medicine is the use of a nonconventional approach instead of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is a nonconventional approach used along with conventional medicine — sometimes called integrative medicine. Make sure you understand the risks as well as possible benefits if you pursue alternative or complementary therapy. Don't replace conventional medical …
See more on mayoclinic.org

Coping and Support

  • Talk with your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills, and try these tips: 1. Simplify your life.Cut back on obligations when possible, and set reasonable goals for yourself. Give yourself permission to do less when you feel down. 2. Write in a journal.Journaling, as part of your treatment, may improve mood by allowing you to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions. 3. …
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • You may see your primary care doctor, or your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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