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Depressive disorder, also known as depression, is a mental disorder that can cause sadness and a lack of interest in once-fun things. Depression can affect how you behave, think, and interact with other people.

You can manage depression and reduce its symptoms with a variety of treatments. Remember: The earlier you begin treatment, the better it will be. Treatment options for depression may include medication, psychotherapy, and brain stimulation therapy. Treatment plans for depression can vary because depression affects people differently.

Treatment aims to improve your life quality and reduce symptoms. You may be treated by several professionals who specialize in treating depression, including primary care doctors, psychologists, and other mental health specialists. They can all recommend the best treatment for you.

Medications to treat depression

Antidepressants are the most common medications prescribed for depression.

Antidepressants can reduce symptoms, but they don't always work immediately. You may not see improvements in your mood for four to eight weeks. Other symptoms, such as low energy or changes in appetite, tend to improve first before disposition.

Your healthcare provider can prescribe a variety of antidepressants. Some of the most common include:

American Psychological Association Depression treatment for adults.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs regulate and increase the amount of active serotonin in your brain (also known as "feel-good hormone"). SSRIs help to improve mood and are the first-line medication for depression.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs regulate serotonin and norepinephrine (a hormone that plays a role in your fight-or-flight response). These medications are prescribed if SSRIs aren't working or there is no improvement. These medications can be helpful when someone is experiencing fatigue or physical pain in conjunction with depression.

Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs): NDRIs help control the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine (often known as the "happy hormone"). Wellbutrin, or bupropion, is the only NDRI available for depression. If you are trying to quit smoking or have problems with libido and sexuality, your provider may prescribe this medication.

Like most drugs, depression medications can cause side effects. You may experience side effects if you take an antidepressant.

Serotonin Syndrome, which can be deadly if the body produces too much serotonin

Usually, your primary care provider or psychiatrist will prescribe medications and monitor your health when you take antidepressants.

Consult your prescribing physician if you are experiencing any side effects or issues. Do not stop your medications by yourself.

How to switch or adjust your antidepressant for better results

Treatments

You can try two main types of treatment to help improve your symptoms. Psychotherapy and brain stimulation are two of the therapies you can try.

Psychotherapy

Talk or mental health therapy can help you work through your emotions and stressors with a licensed professional. You will most likely work with a mental healthcare professional, such as a licensed counselor, marriage and family therapist, or social worker.

This type of therapy aims to help you better understand your feelings, thoughts, and actions and change harmful thinking patterns or habits if necessary. Combination therapy is often used by people who suffer from depression. This may include antidepressants as well as psychotherapy.

During your sessions, a therapist might use elements of different therapies or a single type of therapy. The therapist will tailor their approach to your symptoms, treatment goals, and needs.

The American Psychological Association (APA), a professional association of psychologists, recommends seven different types of psychotherapy. These include:

Behavioral Therapy: Helps identify and change harmful or unhealthy behaviors

Cognitive therapy: Focuses primarily on understanding thoughts and changing destructive thinking patterns

Cognitive behavioral therapy: A combination of mental and behavioral therapies

IPT (interpersonal psychotherapy): Improves relationships and resolves conflicts that may have arisen due to depression.

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): Combining mindful meditation with cognitive therapies to improve self-esteem

Psychodynamic therapy: Uses unconscious thoughts and past experiences to understand better what's going on now.

Supportive therapy: Includes supportive techniques like empathy and active listening that help you deal with stressors and make decisions.

Brain Stimulation Therapy

Brain stimulation therapies, such as vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) and transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS), may sometimes be required. This type of therapy aims to activate or block brain processes responsible for how it functions.

Brain stimulation therapy is a form of electrical stimulation that involves placing electrodes on the scalp. Your provider may also use magnetic fields to send electricity. Some therapies require anesthesia, while others do not.

The standard treatment for depression is medication and psychotherapy. It's worth noting that brain stimulation therapy does not get much use. Brain stimulation can be helpful in situations where the person's symptoms have not improved despite other treatments.

Brain stimulation is generally only recommended for those who:

Unresponsive to medication

They have expressed an interest in this type of treatment

Suicidal or psychotic thoughts

Brain stimulation therapy has been used, and the results have been good.

Experts have studied and used the electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) the most.

How ECT Works

A person will be put under anesthesia before ECT sessions. They are also given a muscle-relaxing drug. A trained provider places electrodes on the head of the patient and sends an electric current to the brain.

The person will feel no current but will have a brief seizure. After the session, the person will awaken and become alert about an hour later. They can then resume their normal daily activities.

Brain stimulation therapy usually lasts six to twelve weeks, with sessions occurring two to three times per week. Your personal treatment plan's length will depend on the severity of your depression symptoms and how they respond to treatment.

There are risks associated with this type of treatment, including anesthesia complications, confusion, fatigue, and short-term memory loss (rare cases).

Living with and managing depression

Depression is not curable, and nearly 50% of people with depression will not initially respond to the treatment. However, within 12 months after treatment, 40% of people will experience reduced depressive symptoms.

Depressive disorder is one of the most easily treatable mental disorders. Early treatment can help relieve your symptoms. Combining combination therapy, such as medication and psychotherapy, may also be beneficial.

An improvement in depressive symptoms

Better quality of life

Increased likelihood of sticking with treatment and getting the support needed to manage symptoms

Exercise, time spent with loved ones, healthy eating, engaging in activities you enjoy, and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, PMR, or yoga may be beneficial even if they are not part of the formal treatment plan.

A Quick Review

Although there is no cure for depression in the traditional sense, depressive disorders are among the most treatable mental health conditions. Several treatments can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Talk therapy and medication are the most common treatments for depression. Brain stimulation therapy may also be able to improve symptoms in some cases. However, this treatment is less common and will only be recommended by your doctor if it fits the situation.

It can be hard to cope with depression, but you are not alone. If you notice a mood change lasting more than two weeks, you can visit your doctor to get the help and support you need.