Types of Treatments for Depression

epression is readily treatable mental condition. Even people suffering from the most severe forms of depression can be helped if properly treated. Early diagnosis of depression and treatment thereafter can improve the chances of recovery. Sometimes in rare cases, depression may develop a possible restraint to treatment. In those cases, patients may require a combination of medical treatments with other specific therapies. One of the most common combinations includes a simultaneous use of antidepressant medicine and psychotherapy.

Let’s take a look at the various treatment options that may help the patients to come out of depression.

Psychotherapy

Often called as the talking therapy, it is used to treat mild and moderate forms of depression. The process of psychotherapy is based on analysing the people on the behaviour and emotions that lead to depression. This therapy also tries to identify the possible causes of depression and try to eradicate them. It helps the patients to regain a sense of control.

Medicines

Antidepressants are widely used to treat depression and are based on the symptoms. The oldest antidepressants are the monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricylic antidepressants (TCAs). These medicines remain effective to treat depression till date. The doctor may also suggest any special kind of diet in order to stave-off possible chances of side-effects.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

It is considered an effective treatment for ECT is used in the most severe cases of depression with a lot of physical changes like loss of appetite, concentration or sleep. It is also regarded as a life saving measure and works faster than the antidepressants. Although, there have been no concrete evidence to show it but, ECT is believed to have some side-effects.

Alternative treatments

Alternative treatments like yoga, ayurveda and meditation can sometimes provide more relief than traditional treatments. Treatments such as yoga and meditation offer the required calmness and peace of mind to the patient and helps in improving their overall health and well-being.

Psychosurgery

A form of specialised brain surgery, psychosurgery is used to treat depression, which is not responding to other forms of treatments. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

It is an effective way of treating depression. It assumes that a person’s mood is directly related to the person’s thinking ability and behaviour. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps the patient to recognise and eradicate negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ways of thinking.

Even after a successful treatment, depression can return to haunt back. The best way is to recognise the reoccurring symptoms and seeking professional help at the earliest.