Contrary to what people tend to think, depression is not a personal weakness you can snap out of by will. It is a serious condition that can affect people of any age and of any ethnic group or race. Once you are diagnosed with clinical depression, your doctor will give you a few depression treatment options to choose from depending on your condition. He will also help you choose the right treatment and exercise for depression based on the type of depression you are suffering from and the severity of the condition.
Importance Of Knowing The Right Depression Treatment Information
Before you accept a treatment method for yourself or for your loved ones, it is important to gather enough information and equip yourself with knowledge. As you reach out for depression treatment help, you must know about your condition and various treatment options available.
Treatment For Depression
For mild to moderate depression, doctors may prescribe certain mood enhancing drugs or something as simple as depression relief with cats. These drugs will help lift your feeling of hopelessness and sadness and keep your mood stable. It is in your interest to work with your doctor and identify the best drugs that work for you and that do not lead to any unpleasant side effects.
Antidepressant Depression Treatment Information
Prescribing antidepressants is one of the most common depression treatment options. Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are three neurotransmitter types. These are responsible for transmission of electrical signals from one brain cell to another.
Antidepressants work by changing receptor sensitivity to neurotransmitters or increasing neurotransmitter availability. Mood of the patient is enhanced by brain chemical modifications.
Stimulants – Another Medication Prescribed For Depression
When you reach out for depression treatment help, doctors may also prescribe anti-anxiety drugs and stimulants to be taken along with anti-depressants. This option is decided upon if you suffer from physical and mental disorder simultaneously.
Role Of Psychotherapy In Treating Depression
Psychotherapy is one of the popular depression treatment options that works by helping patients develop strong strategies to cope with their condition. A few activities are designed to help patients increase adherence to medication and to deal with everyday stressors. Different types of psychotherapies include group therapy, family therapy and individual therapy. Patients must take the help of doctors to identify the right type of psychotherapy depending on their condition.
ECT or Electro-Convulsive Therapy for Depression
If your doctor prescribes ECT as a treatment option, it is a good idea asking him for more information. Equipped with the right depression treatment information and understanding the extent of your condition, you are in a better position to choose the right treatment. Electroshock therapy is usually prescribed for severe depression. A brief electric current is applied by a skilled doctor to your brain through the scalp to induce seizure. This form of treatment is usually prescribed when patients do not respond to other therapies.
As you reach out for depression treatment help, it is also necessary to learn about various other treatment options such as VNS or Vagus Nerve Stimulation and TMS or Trans cranial Magnetic Stimulation. Both are FDA approved procedures that are used to treat depression patients not responding to regular treatment.