mania, which includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much and increased energy, or even something like seasonal pattern — depression related to changes in seasons and reduced exposure to sunlight.
Once a patient has been properly diagnosed for depression by a physician, it’s time to explore clinical depression treatments. As mentioned above, the more specific a diagnosis, the easier it is to choose the right treatment for the individual case. Typically, clinical depression treatments include a combination of medication and therapy.
Though it should be noted that some types of depression may respond well to other forms of treatment. For example, light therapy can be effective for those with SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and, in severe cases, a doctor may recommend a form of brain stimulation therapy, such as electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation. Often a doctor can recommend non-invasive healthy lifestyle adjustments to support depression treatment like diet, exercise and adopting mindfulness techniques.
It’s very common for a physician or psychiatrist to prescribe an antidepressant medication to a patient suffering from depression. Luckily, there are many different options available because people vary in their response to different drugs, and there is often a period of trial and error before the right medication or combination of medications is found. Types of antidepressants include:
Though not as commonly prescribed, other medications that can be helpful in clinical depression treatments include anti-anxiety drugs, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.
Though, with any medication, Individuals should discuss the benefits and potential risks of antidepressant use with their doctor.
However, medication alone is rarely the answer. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be an effective clinical depression treatment for depression with or without medicative support. Psychotherapy can help people adjust to their life circumstances, challenge negative thoughts, and learn healthier ways to deal with stress. Therapy can also give people the awareness to identify issues that contribute to their depression and the space to set life goals. Therapy usually happens 1:1 in person, but it can also happen in support groups and even online communities. With any treatment, therapy is most effective when people find the most suitable style of therapy and the right therapist for them.
Psychotherapy is an expansive practice and, as mentioned above, there are several types of therapy for depression. Psychotherapy is often called "talk therapy" because it involves an individual and a psychotherapist sitting in a room talking but, as a treatment, it is more nuanced than that. Psychotherapists have training in a variety of techniques and often specialize in treatments for various mental illness and personal issues.
How does therapy help in the treatment of depression? Psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for depression because it can help a patient delve into underlying triggers for depression and learn new coping skills. Many common therapeutic modalities have evidence supporting their benefit in treating depression. Several studies suggest, however, that the combination of an antidepressant and psychotherapy is the best approach, because of the biopsychosocial origins of most mood disorders.
There are many different types of therapy that can be effective in treating depression. The kind that is right for you can depend on a variety of factors including the severity of your symptoms, your own personal preferences, and therapy goals.
Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts can affect our emotions. For example, if we choose to look at experiences more positively, we will be more likely to feel good as opposed to if we only focus on the negative. This is a helpful approach because, naturally, negative thoughts can contribute to and exacerbate depression. A constant loop of negative thoughts is difficult to break. Cognitive therapy helps people learn to identify common patterns of negative think