Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. It is estimated that over 280 million people (1) deal with depression on a daily basis. An important step in overcoming this illness is seeking proper treatment methods. With so much information available, the task of seeking effective ways to manage depression can seem overwhelming leaving many to wonder what the most effective treatments for depression are.
If you or someone you or someone you know is dealing with depression, help is available. Bishop Health is a leader in Delray Beach for effective depression treatment. We provide a host of evidenced based practices for the effective treatment of depression and other mental health conditions. Call Bishop Health today to speak with a treatment advisor about your options. Your journey to the mental health you deserve may be closer than you think.
Psychotherapy for Depression Treatment
Psychotherapy is the most common form of treatment for depression. Psychotherapy involves regular talk therapy sessions with a trained mental health professional. This can include one on one therapy sessions as well as group and family therapy sessions. Throughout the psychotherapy process, the mental health professional will utilize a multitude of treatment modalities to properly address the patient’s issues and concerns.
Psychotherapy has proven to be an effective method of treating depression and depressive symptoms. According to multiple studies (2), the use of psychotherapy has repeatedly shown to greatly reduce depressive symptoms. Psychotherapy can be used in tandem with other methods of treating depression as well, making it a versatile and effective method for treating mental health conditions like depression.
Evidence-Based Mental Health Disorder Treatment Therapies
The defining factor for quality mental health treatment is the use of therapies that have proven to be effective. These are known as evidence based practices. This is a term used throughout clinical practices to define treatment therapies and modalities that have evidence to support their use and efficacy. Seeking out evidenced based practices is a great place to start when deciding on treatment options. With many options for mental health treatment lacking a track record of clinical success, utilizing only evidenced based practices will help to ensure the highest possibility for long term positive treatment outcomes.
Antidepressant Medications Commonly Used for Depressive Disorders
Depression is often linked to a lack of a powerful chemical in the brain known as serotonin. Among other functions, serotonin is responsible for control and management of a person’s mood. Many common antidepressant medications (3) target this deficit and strive to increase serotonin activity in the brain. This classification of antidepressant medications is known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Some of the most common SSRIs used for the treatment of depression include:
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Cipralex)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
Mindfulness & Meditation in Depression Treatment
Another set of evidence based practices for treating depression are mindfulness and meditation. Centered around stillness, quiet, peace, and remaining present, these practices can take many forms. Often, during periods of depression, a person’s brain will be extremely active in certain areas of the brain causing the thoughts and sensations to seem overwhelming. Research has shown (4) that using mindfulness and meditation practices regularly will help the person regain control of their thoughts leading to healthier management of depressive symptoms.
Depression & Ketamine Treatment
An evidenced based practice that is proven effective in the rapid treatment of those with depression is treatment involving the substance ketamine. Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic and has been shown (5) to react with the brain to counter many of the negative symptoms associated with depression. Unlike traditional methods of treatment, patients using ketamine as part of their treatment plan begin to see improvements in a matter of days rather than weeks or months. Often used in tandem with traditional talk therapy, ketamine treatment is often utilized when other antidepressants are not having the desired effect.
Alternative Therapies for Depression Treatment
Though they may be limited in clinical data, many who deal with depression find alternative therapies helpful. Though these practices can be beneficial on their own, they are often used alongside other evidenced based practices for the treatment of depression. These treatments can include:
- Herbal remedies
- Acupuncture
- Reflexology
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Massage
- Guided imagery
- Yoga
The Role of Lifestyle Changes & Healthy Habits
An important factor to consider when treating depression is the role that healthy habits and lifestyle change has. Often, many who deal with depression report that simply changing their daily routines and activities help alleviate many of their depressive symptoms. Many evidenced based therapy practices will point to overall lifestyle change as a necessary component of mental health. Some important factors to consider include:
- Diet — Proper nutrition has repeatedly been shown to play a major role in the overall well being of a person including their mental health.
- Exercise — Daily activity has been shown to increase mental health by releasing many of the same chemicals that may be absent during periods of depression.
- Outdoor Activities — Proper sunlight and movement is often associated with alleviating many symptoms of depression.
- Relationships — Healthy conversations, laughter, and interactions with friends and family is another key attribute to overall wellness.
If you or someone you know is dealing with symptoms of depression, contact Bishop Health today. Our facilities have multiple locations and specialize in evidence-based practices. Call today to speak with a treatment advisor. They will be able to answer any questions about our treatment options as well as our intake process. Your journey to mental health and wellness can start today by calling Bishop Health.
Sources:
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression#:~:text=An%20estimated%203.8%25%20of%20the,among%20women%20than%20among%20men.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5709536/
- https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/antidepressant-medications#:~:text=SSRIs,of%20depression%20and%20anxiety%20disorders.
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-meditation-helps-with-depression
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6767816/