Depression can be treated and there several options are available for the treatment. Major depression is considered as chronic depression and generally there is relapse after the treatment is stopped. Therefore continued help and treatment are most important. Psychotherapy or medications or both are among the options available. The type of depression, the magnitude of the problem, age, pregnancy status and other individualized factors are the factors on which the treatment depends.
In patients with minor depression generally anti depressants are not required and only watchful waiting for signs of recovery is recommended. Also the antidepressants do not work in patients of minor depression. Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy and regular physical exercise help in relieving the symptoms of depression.
In elderly patients also only psychotherapy or attention intervention should be tried for mild cases of depression. In mild cases regular physical exercise is also sufficient for mood improvement. In serious cases of depression combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy treatment is recommended and should be continued even after symptomatic relief.
For patients of major depression generally a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants medication works well. The anti depressants used are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. The antidepressants therapy for few weeks may be sufficient in some patients while in others it is required for 6-12 months. Regular physical exercise is very important for symptomatic relief. In patients having the severe form of major depression and those they do not respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antipsychotic medications are given in combination with anti depressants drugs.
the next option is the brain stimulation techniques like electroconvulsive therapy and vagus nerve stimulation.
In patients having depression and other psychiatric problem like anxiety, generally treatment of depression improves the condition. Patients having depression with more severe psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder need specific treatments.
In patients of depression with other medical conditions depression should be treated at first to avoid death due to heart attack or stroke.
In patients of depression with substance abuse like alcohol treatment of depression can help in quitting the alcohol. But for the satisfactory treatment of depression the patient should be substance abuse free.
Generally the treatment of depression is given in doctor’s office only but in some cases hospitalization is essential to prevent worsening of the condition and self harm.
Psychiatrists, psychologists and psychoanalysts are the professionals who can treat depression.
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