How to Deal With Depression
Depression is a disabling illness that affects millions of Americans, but the affects of depressive illness can be tamed by learning how to deal with depression. People don't call depression the "common cold of mental health" for nothing. It has that tag because it is both common and has no single cure. Just as with the cold, however, depression is treatable, and with time and treatment it can be overcome.
The first step in dealing with depression is getting help. It is important to see a health care professional and give a thorough report of all experiences and feelings. There are viruses and other medical problems, like thyroid disorder, that have some of the same symptoms as depression. It is important to rule out any other explanation in order to receive proper treatment.
Since depression has a combination of causes, it makes sense that that are multiple ways to deal with depression. Two of the most common ways to deal with depression are medication and therapy. A person with depression suffers from a wide spectrum of physical effects, like sleep interference, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, a pervading state of sadness, confusion, unexplained pain, and many more. In order to be effective, depression treatment must address and heal these individual symptoms.
Antidepressant medications are the most popular form of drugs prescribed to people suffering from depression. Antidepressants work on neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. The most frequently used types of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft; serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), like Cymbalta and Effexor; and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), like Marplan and Nardil.
When treating depression with antidepressant drugs, it is important to remember that they take a few weeks to work. Sometimes a particular medication doesn't work and the patient is taken off one antidepressant and put on another. Since depression has different causes and symptoms in different people, the medication also varies greatly. The main thing to remember is that with time and proper administration, antidepressant medications can alleviate the symptoms and lead to a depression-free life.
Many doctors and researchers recommend treating depression with both prescription drugs and psychotherapy. While the medication helps address problems with brain chemistry, a therapist can help sort things out and guide someone with depression along the road to recovery.
Two types of psychotherapy have proven to be significantly successful in treating depression: cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). With CBT, the therapist helps the patient learn new ways of thinking that eliminate the negativity and hopelessness that is such a debilitating part of depression. IPT focuses on healing or eliminating the patient's relationship and personal issues that cause, contribute or worsen depression.
There is scientific evidence proving that both medication and therapy are viable ways to deal with depression. There are also other solutions that can contribute to making a person with depression feel better. These include: - eating a healthy, well-balanced diet - engaging in regular exercise - getting the proper amount of sleep (both diet and exercise help with this) - finding efficient ways to deal with stress - being honest about feelings and emotions - seeking help through a positive support group.