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depression treatments

Read and learn more about depression treatments. For more, visit the Depression website DepressionLearning.com

Q: depression treatments?
Im a 19 year old girk and I have everything to live for (a suipportive mum and dad, great boyfriend, money, a university place etc)but I still feel unhappy.
Its like I cant ever relax or feel any sort of happy emotion any more. I am not going to the docs and getting any type of pill as they don’t work.
But does anyone know of any effecttive treatments for depression that dont require a doc? Is it possible to get out of this depression?

A: If you wish to fight your depression without the side-effects and expense of psychiatric medications, there are many things your can do to control your moods naturally.
Here’s How:
Sleep and mood are intimately related. Keep a regular schedule and get adequate rest.
Avoid caffeine and other stimulants. Although they give temporary energy, they can deplete your serotonin levels in the long-run.
Take a multi-vitamin regularly if you do not eat well. Several vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to depression symptoms.
These remedies cost less than prescription medications and help put you in control of your own treatment.
Get in touch with your spiritual side through prayer or meditation. Remember, spirituality is not the same thing as religiosity. You may be spiritual without ever setting foot in a church, synagogue or mosque.
Get more exercise. This doesn’t mean you have to start up a vigorous daily workout. Even a walk around the block can be energizing.
Avoid excess alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a depressant and toxic to your body as well.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Your thoughts have a direct bearing on your mood. Learning about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, either through a therapist or self-help books, can help you stop the negative thoughts that bring you down.
Stress can be physically draining. Learn to control your stress levels through time management, meditation, biofeedback training, etc.
Combat feelings of loneliness by reaching out to others who are less fortunate.
Tips:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be aware of your mood and take remedial steps when you first feel your mood begin to slip.
Don’t feel like a failure if you need prescription medication. Depression is an illness just like diabetes or any other other. It is not always within your control.
More Depression How To’s
Suggested Reading :-
Modern Eating Habits and Depression
A Vitamin a Day Keeps Depression Away
You Are What You Think
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Profile of a Federal Benefit Program: Medicare Prescription

Q: Depression treatments. Which treatment has worked for you?
I’ve been having symptoms of depression for years and there are times that it is beyond the threshold I can deal with. What has worked for you? At what level would you classify your depression. Mild, moderate, or severe?

What has helped?

Which medication(s)?
Have there been any other treatment(s) that you had tried?

I’m looking for some advice on dealing with my depression that hasn’t responded to treatments. I’ve stopped a couple times because nothing seem to have worked. ECT had been offered, but I’m still thinking about it.

Thanks for your input.

A: I have Major Depression — Moderate and Recurring as well as PTSD wth Dissociative symptoms. I have found a combination of medications and talk therapy work best for me. I have been in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (in the past) and although I hated it at the time (I had a horrible group leader.) with the right person leading me through some of the material, I have found it very beneficial. It isn’t only for people with Borderline Personality Disorder, but anyone who has boundary issues can use it. My therapists blend several forms of therapy, so there is no one style used — I get some cognitive behavioral, some gestalt, some ego-based therapy and some others. I find all of it beneficial.

As far as meds go: Paxil was useless for me and I was allergic to Lamictal. Geodon gave me acid reflux. I need a cocktail for my depression and mood swings to keep me going and have found that tweaking the meds is needed every once in a while to make them work a little better as the body tends to build up a tolerance level to what you are taking.

Effexor worked great for about 10 years and then petered out and I had to switch to Cymbalta, which I still take along with a few others.

Since medications are so individualistic, I don’t know if any of this will help you. However, I highly recommend meds with therapy for depression. The meds give you a chance to stabilize and then you have a chance to use the talk therapy.

Q: What is the history of treatments for depression?
I have to do a research paper on how the treatments for depression have changed over time. I was wondering if you could help me find a website that clearly states how over time the tactics have changed, or help me write an outline?

Thank you to anybody that can help! I am getting frusterated :/ And no, I cannot changed my topic.

A: Do your own research. I just typed in history of depression and about 15 pages of websites came up. The internet is not the best place for research as the sources cannot be validated many times. Check out books that may contain historical information on depression treatments. Ask your librarian where you can look.

Q: How is best to structure a uni essay on the treatments of depression?
Any Psych undergraduates have any idea how to best structure an essay which is on the treatments of unipolar depression and their advantages/disadvantages?
Thanks x

A: You begin with a brief explanation of what the paper will be about, a brief survey of several available treatments for depression, and that you will be detailing several of them, giving advantages and disadvantages.

Then you get on to the treatments. You have a short section for each one. You name it, explain what it is and how it works, and the advantages and disadvantages.

Then at the end you have a paragraph or two of summation and conclusion.

You will want to give sources and perhaps list books, articles in magazines, web pages, etc. You can do this in footnotes on each page, or you can list all the notes in a separate section at the end. Usually how you do this is prescribed by your instructor. Sometimes it doesn’t matter.

Q: What are the treatments of depression?
I need a model for a depression project inside of science. My project is on dysthymic, bipolar, chronic, and long term depression. Can you help?

I’d like treatments of it, sources, and a picture of the brain’s area that is affected. Do you know where I can find it, or have answers?
Can anyone show me a picture of the hippocampus, a part of the brain that controls memory and emotions, before and after depression strikes?

A: While therapy and antidepressant medication are the most effective treatments for depression, home treatment is also important. There are many steps you can take to help yourself during a depressive episode and to prevent future episodes:

Set realistic goals for yourself, and take on a reasonable amount of responsibility.
Break large tasks into small ones, and set priorities. Do what you can when you are able.
Postpone major life decisions (such as changing jobs, moving, or getting married or divorced) when you are depressed.
Try to share your feelings with someone. It is usually better than being alone and secretive.
Let your family and friends help you.
Even if you don’t feel motivated, try to participate in religious, social, or other activities.
Get regular exercise.
Eat a balanced diet. If you lack an appetite, eat small snacks rather than large meals.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs or medications that have not been prescribed to you. They may interfere with your medications or worsen your depression.
Get adequate sleep. If you have problems sleeping:
Go to bed at the same time every night and, more importantly, get up at the same time every morning.
Keep your bedroom dark and free of noise.
Don’t exercise after 5:00 p.m.
Avoid caffeinated beverages after 5:00 p.m.
Avoid the use of nonprescription sleeping pills or alcohol, because they can make your sleep restless and may interact with your depression medications.
Be patient and kind to yourself. Remember that depression is not your fault and is not something you can overcome with willpower alone. Treatment is necessary for depression, just like for any other illness.
Try to maintain a positive attitude—remember that feeling better takes time, and your mood will improve little by little.

Other Treatment
Professional counseling is an important part of treatment for depression. Complementary therapies such as massage therapy and yoga may also help you recover more quickly and improve your quality of life. For information about relaxation techniques you can do at home, see relaxation exercises.

Family therapy may help you and those who care about you deal with depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used for those who cannot take antidepressant medications, who have not responded to other treatments, or whose depression is severe and includes symptoms of psychosis, suicidal behavior, or an inability to eat. 10

Other Treatment Choices
Counseling is an important part of the treatment for depression. The types of counseling most often used for effective treatment of depression include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, a type of counseling that teaches a person how to become healthier by modifying certain thought and behavior patterns. This type of therapy can be provided individually or in a group setting.
Interpersonal therapy, which focuses on social and personal relationships and related problems.
Problem-solving therapy, which focuses on the problems you are currently facing and on helping you find solutions to those problems.
Family therapy, a type of counseling involving the entire family.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to treat severe depression or depression that has not responded well to medications and counseling. ECT also may be a treatment choice for someone who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications. Modern ECT treatments consist of mild electric brain stimulation while you are unconscious (under general anesthetic) and are an effective treatment for depression. Side effects of ECT include memory loss and confusion.

Complementary therapies

The herb St. John’s wort has been shown to work for mild to moderate depression, but it can interact with other medications.
Fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids is currently being studied for possible antidepressant effects.
SAM-e ( S-adenosylmethionine), a substance that occurs naturally in plant and animal cells, is sometimes used to treat depression. Some studies show SAM-e may help with symptoms of depression, but more studies are needed to determine its safety and effectiveness.
What To Think About
ECT
Deciding whether to try electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be difficult. Although ECT can be a very effective treatment for depression, you may experience short-term memory loss, confusion, nausea, headaches, and jaw pain for several hours—and sometimes even several days—after the procedure. For some people, ECT may cause long-term memory loss. For more information, see electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

St. John’s wort

St. John’s wort is being tested in the United States to determine its safety and effectiveness. So far, the results have been mixed. High-quality St. John’s wort has been shown to work for mild to moderate depression as effectively as other antidepressants and with fewer side effects. However, some negative and dangerous interactions between St. John’s wort and certain medications have been discovered, especially between St. John’s wort and medications used to treat AIDS. 11

Let your health professional know if you are using St. John’s wort, especially if you are taking other medications.
Avoid taking St. John’s wort along with other antidepressants, because you could overmedicate yourself and have serious side effects.
Because St. John’s wort is not currently regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), its quality—and effectiveness—may vary.

Omega-3 fatty acids

There is limited evidence that a small daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial either alone or when combined with an antidepressant. 14, 15 While benefits for depression are still inconclusive, research does show that taking omega-3 fatty acids can help fight other health problems, including arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating fish at least twice per week, plus other omega-3 rich foods. For people with heart disease, the AHA suggests additional fish oil supplements if your health professional thinks it is a good idea. 16

Brain ‘Pacemaker’ For Depression Sufferers
For the first time, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been shown to treat people suffering from major depression. DBS has been used to successfully treat epilepsy and Parkinson’s. About twenty percent of depression sufferers fail to respond to standard treatment; medication plus electroconvulsive therapy may work for some of them. Dr. Andres Lozano, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Toronto, explains why DBS is a more refined choice.

“Electroconvulsive therapy is analogous to rebooting your computer,” he explained. “This [deep brain stimulation] is very pinpointed, precise therapy, involving a very precise area of brain that plays a key role in depression.”
When people are acutely sad, the subgenual cingulate region, or Cg25 region, of the brain, becomes active. Antidepressants can reduce activity in this area somewhat.

“It was as if the thermostat was set for 120 degrees and you want it to be 70 degrees,” Lozano explained. “This area of the brain is running in overdrive, and it is causing depression and also interfering with the function of areas of the brain that are involved in cognitive function.”

(From Scientists stimulate sadness center)
Since this study only involves six patients, it can offer only the most preliminary results. But after a hear and a half, a “striking benefit” has been seen in 4 of the 6 patients in the study.

Science fiction readers may recall the wireheads of Larry Niven’s stories; a wirehead is a person who installs a droud to deliver a minute electrical current to the pleasure center of the brain. Niven creates a realistic picture of the social consequences of this technology in Ringworld.

Read more at Brain Pacemaker may help worse cases of depression; thanks to Jeff Schwenneker for providing the tip on this story.

Q: What are some less common treatments for depression?
Hi,

I have suffered from major depression for years now and despite trying many different anti depressents and counselling I am just not getting better.

My parents have very kindly offered to pay for some private treatment to try and finally beat this depression.

Are there any less common treatments for depression that could be paid for privately? I used to be NHS through and through, but I WANT to get better and have asked for help so many times but all they will do is just write off another antidepressent prescription.

Thankyou

A: Yoga, meditation, acupuncture, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in conjunction with meds, Yoga Nidra, dance, swimming, art therapy. Personally I find that my hobbies are the only way to get relief. Gardening and pottery help me a lot. Yoga helps a lot. Get a dog!

Q: what would u do if u in love with someone who did not tell you that she is under depression treatments?
i loved her, eventhough i had a feeling that she is somehow wear or upnormal. later when i asked her to get marry; her family told me that she is in mental treatments( not only depression but also she here wear voices” hidden “. i dont know what to do; i feel sorry for her and i don’t want to cause more problem to her, but i am worry about my future with her.

A: cheer her up.she may get well with your touch.don’t desert her.love works miracles

Q: what are the best treatments for mild depression/dysthymia?
If i had mild depression/dysthymia (I’ll speak to a doctor) what are the best treatments. I took Sertraline about 3 years ago for 6 months. Intially it made me a lot worse, really intense anxiety. And then when that died down I felt no different to when i started them.

Would St John’s Wort be a better option?

A: After decades of on-and-off attempts with various medications, St John’s wort turned out to be a wonder drug FOR ME.

Everyone’s experiences are different, but after years of trying medications with all sorts of side effects (some making things worse, similar to your reaction), within 30 minutes of taking SJW, I finally understood what anti-depressants were supposed to do.

SSRIs cause a regrowth of brain cells in the limbic system:
http://www.realhelpfordepression.com/anatomy_of_despair.htm
I’ve wondered if the effects I had with SJW would have been so immediate and dramatic if I had not taken SSRIs for a couple of years prior, but I haven’t found a doctor who is willing to venture a guess on it.

Medication is only part of the equation though. Having someone to talk with is as, if not more, important. I also found help with a few CBT classes. (Mental exercises that could have just as easily come from a book.)

Q: What are common treatments for postpartum depression?
Since my wife just miscarried a week and a half ago, I know that it is too soon to say it’s postpartum depression, but I thought maybe if I could get her treatment like antidepressants it might help bring her beautiful smile back. I know I sound selfish, but I have been walking on egg shells since this happened. She’s not that same vibrant woman I married. I truly miss her. That’s why I’m asking so many questions.

A: More than likely she just needs time. It’s only been a week and a half, not very long at all. Losing the baby is a major blow to her and she’s having a rough time right now. Give her some extra TLC, you sound like you care very much about her. Let her know you are there for her, she needs you. Also, Camomile tea, although it tastes terrible, is good for calming nerves. But if you feel she is suicidal, or majorly out of character, talk to your doctor. Antidepressants can help, but they are just bandaids. They do not work miracles. She probably just needs time to grieve and that’s ok. It’s perfectly normal after a miscarriage. And it’s not too soon to say it’s postpartum depression, it starts right after a miscarriage for some women. When I had my son, I had major postpartum depression three days later. As my mother would tell me when things were going wrong, “this too shall pass”. And she was right.

Q: what results has anyone had from going under electric shock treatments for depression?
What results has anyone gotten from ect treatments?
I recently had 8 ect treatments and was in the hospital for a month…i am home now but have only noticed memory lose…Has anyone had positive effects from ect?

A: Electric shock treatment is extremely dangerous and inhumane. I understand they tell you that it is safe, but it isn’t; Trying to uncover the reasons for depression via cognitive behavioral therapy and possibly medications.

*Sorry the only link I had on-hand is for scientology. Either way, it is dangerous. Please don’t believe a 16 year old girl who has no training in this field.

Q: Is there any anti corrosive/depression treatments available for humans?

A: Yes, of course.
In case of depression, there are treatments like meditation, yoga and other useful things which we can get.

And the other important thing is that the only living being who have all the feelings is HUMAN only.

Q: What are the treatments for depression?
I am admitting to myself that I am depressed after I denied it from myself and others. I have thoughts of suicide. I feel completely hopeless. I don’t take showers for long periods of time. My sleeping pattern has shifted. I either don’t sleep enough or I sleep too much. I haven’t told anyone this and I need something to help me.
I am eighteen if it helps and I have been feeling this for years.

A: Treatments for depression ranges form
1.Behavioral changes- such as exercise, change in diet, relaxation and sleep exercises, behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and a range of others that vary by person.
2. Medications- Tricyclics- not recommended, SSRI’s, MAOI’s, SSNRI’s, SNDRI’s and a few others that can be used to stabilize mood, focus and energy levels.
3. Talk therapy or other therapies- usually by a counselor of some sort.
Try to be aware of what behaviors/ events etc happen before or while you feel suicidal or have any other mood change and when you are trying to sleep. You might notice that certain things affect you in different ways.
Try finding a counselor or other professional/person you can trust to sort things out.

Q: I want to start taking herbal treatments for depression, anxiety, and ADD, can someone tell me more?
I’ve already done some research and from what I have found, taking things like fish oil, algae and st. johns wort are supposed to help. I would really appreciate it though if someone could give me some more information on these or suggest something else without getting to scientific on me. Thanks.
Thanks for all the support everyone, It’s nice when I post on here and actually get good feedback.
Thanks for all the support everyone, It’s nice when I post on here and actually get good feedback.

A: All of those things that you mentioned are suppose to be good for anxiety, depression, memory (ADD) problems, etc.

Eat more vegetables, fruits, and grains, small portions of meat, and drink distilled water (purified).

Avoid sugars, fats, flours, fatty foods, and processed foods (boxed meals, frozen dinners, fast food joints) and stay away from sodas, caffeines, sports drinks, diet products, etc.

So many of the additives, preservatives, and food dyes can agitate and aggrevate your body and mind leaving you to feel horrible.

Make sure you get at least 8 hours sleep and look up natural methods to control your ADHD and depressive symptoms.

Get out in the sun more, exercise more, and try not to worry about being ADD. Most ADD people are highly intelligent, creative, and very productive in things that interest them.

Avoid the dull and boring if you can……..smile. Good luck.

New study links food additives to hyperactivity in children
Thu Sep 6, 9:05 AM ET

PARIS (AFP) – A cocktail of artificial colours and the commonly-used preservative sodium benzoate are linked to hyperactivity in children, according to a ground-breaking study published Thursday by The Lancet.

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The implications are far-reaching, say the investigators, who suggest that by vetting their child’s diet, parents have a simple tool to help them tackle hyperactive behaviour.

Researchers at Southampton University recruited 153 local three-year-olds and 144 children aged eight or nine and assigned them to either of two groups.

One group received an ordinary fruit juice and the other was given a drink identical in look and taste that contained common commercial additives. Both drinks were supplied to parents in identical, sealed anonymous bottles.

The “additives” group itself was split into two batches.

Some children were given “Mix A,” a drink which contained artificial colourings typically found in a couple of 56-gramme (two-ounce) bags of sweets.

Others were given “Mix B” which had a higher level of colourings, equivalent (in the dosage for the eight-year-olds) to consuming the additives in four such bags of sweets.

Both mixes had the same amount of sodium benzoate.

Before the six-week trial began, the researchers asked parents and teachers to assess the child for overactive, impulsive and inattentive behaviour — the hallmarks of hyperactivity.

A third yardstick was given by trained observers (in fact, psychology graduates), who sat discreetly in the classrooms and noted each child’s behaviour according to an international set of measures.

For the first week of the trial, the children followed their typical diet.

After that, sweets and drinks with additives were withdrawn, and parents were asked to substitute with the trial drink instead.

The amount of the drink given to the child was in proportion to the amount of artificial colouring removed from their usual diet. The parents did not know whether the drink was Mix A, Mix B or the placebo.

Six weeks later, the children were assessed again for hyperactivity.

Mix A had a “significantly adverse” effect on the three-year-olds, although Mix B made no difference on this group. In the older children, both Mix A and Mix B had a strong effect.

“Overall, children who took the mix moved about 10 percent closer to the definition of being hyperactive,” lead author Jim Stevenson, a professor of psychology at the university, told AFP.

“We now have clear evidence that mixtures of certain food colours and benzoate preservative can adversely influence the behaviour of children,” said Stevenson.

“However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent all hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work, but this at least is one a child can avoid.”

The first caution about food additives and their impact on child health were made more than three decades ago, but evidence to give flesh to this warning has been scant or contested as unscientific.

In the past decade, hyperactivity has — apparently — ballooned into serious proportions in some countries, stirring controversy along the way.

US doctors commonly see hyperactivity as a medical condition (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD) and prescribe a potent drug, ritalin, to treat it.

Other experts speculate that hyperactivity has social causes such as home instability and poor education, and say use of powerful, mind-altering drugs is dangerous.

In the new study, Mix A comprised 45mg of sodium benzoate and 20mg of artificial food colourings, namely sunset yellow (European food code E110), carmoisine (E122); tartrazine (E102); and ponceau 4R (E124).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070906/hl_afp/healthchildrenfood;_ylt=AngzGgVyPKfQcp6nPucAyKTVJRIF

Q: If you have had ECT (shock treatments) for depression, will you please tell me about your experience with it?
I’ve had depression off and on for many years and am so anxious to feel normal. I am on Celexa which seems to help sometimes but lets me down at other tiimes. Also, are you on a prescription (s) that relieve you of depression? Thank you.

A: im so scared to get them.go to youtube to type ect and i looked at 2 stores from people.. you will most likely have memory loss good luck

Q: What are the best natural treatments for depression?
i heard about healthy diet and exercise, also about St. John’s Wort. They don’t seem to be effective. Any other suggestions?

A: not sure if these approaches are natural or not, but here goes: cognitive behavioral therapy, sleep deprivation, gradual cold showers, light therapy

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