Effective Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder
There is no one size fits all treatment when it
comes to depression. In fact, the mood disorder can present in a number
of different ways—leading to social isolation and deep feelings of anger
and sadness, as well as an array of emotional and physical
symptoms—that can lead to lack of interest in life’s passions and normal
day-to-day routines, and even thoughts of suicide.
Clinical depression is more than just a bout of the blues, and patient can’t just ignore depressive thoughts and feelings until they go away. In fact, most patients with depression require long-term treatment that can incorporate a number of lifestyle changes, medications, and therapy with a mental health professional in order to relieve symptoms. Here are the most effective treatments for severe depression:
1. Antidepressants
Most patients with severe depression are prescribed an antidepressant by their doctor in order to boost mood and relieve depressive symptoms. The most common type of medication prescribed to treat major depression disorder are SSRIs (or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which boost serotonin concentrations within the brain. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include Paxil, Zoloft, and Lexapro. SSRIs are typically prescribed to patients first because they cause fewer adverse side effects. However, atypical depressants (i.e., Trintellix or Vortioxetine) can be an option for adult patients with major depressive disorder who don’t respond to SSRIs alone. Atypical depressant medications aim to balance of serotonin in the brain, like SSRIs, but they’re also serotonin receptor modulators that can help improve appetite, sleep, mood, energy, and interest in daily living. Keep in mind, patients often need to try several combinations of medications to find the one that works best with their symptoms .
2. Lifestyle changes
In addition to medications, doctors will often advise a number of lifestyle changes that focus on self-care and decreasing the depressive symptoms, including:
Psychotherapy is a type of “talk therapy” conducted one-on-one with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy can include interpersonal therapies or cognitive behavioral therapies, in collaboration with antidepressants to help patients:
In severe cases of depression, when patients are a threat to their own safety (high suicide risk) or the well-being of others, a residential hospital facility may be the safest option. Many hospitals offer inpatient programs on a permanent stay, day treatment, or outpatient basis. Depression treatment often includes administering medication, in addition to providing inpatients counseling and therapy support groups.
Clinical depression is more than just a bout of the blues, and patient can’t just ignore depressive thoughts and feelings until they go away. In fact, most patients with depression require long-term treatment that can incorporate a number of lifestyle changes, medications, and therapy with a mental health professional in order to relieve symptoms. Here are the most effective treatments for severe depression:
1. Antidepressants
Most patients with severe depression are prescribed an antidepressant by their doctor in order to boost mood and relieve depressive symptoms. The most common type of medication prescribed to treat major depression disorder are SSRIs (or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which boost serotonin concentrations within the brain. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include Paxil, Zoloft, and Lexapro. SSRIs are typically prescribed to patients first because they cause fewer adverse side effects. However, atypical depressants (i.e., Trintellix or Vortioxetine) can be an option for adult patients with major depressive disorder who don’t respond to SSRIs alone. Atypical depressant medications aim to balance of serotonin in the brain, like SSRIs, but they’re also serotonin receptor modulators that can help improve appetite, sleep, mood, energy, and interest in daily living. Keep in mind, patients often need to try several combinations of medications to find the one that works best with their symptoms .
2. Lifestyle changes
In addition to medications, doctors will often advise a number of lifestyle changes that focus on self-care and decreasing the depressive symptoms, including:
- Daily physical activity (i.e., walking, yoga, swimming, gardening, etc.)
- A healthy, balanced diet
- Adequate sleep
- Avoiding stress and depression triggers
- Abstain from alcohol and recreational drugs
Psychotherapy is a type of “talk therapy” conducted one-on-one with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy can include interpersonal therapies or cognitive behavioral therapies, in collaboration with antidepressants to help patients:
- Identify depression triggers
- Ease depressive symptoms (i.e., fatigue, anger, low self worth)
- Develop healthy coping techniques and problem-solving
- Identify negative beliefs/behaviors and swap them for positive ones
- Set positive, realistic goals
- Manage stress in a healthy manner
- Identify positive vs. toxic interpersonal relationships
- Learn self care and take back control
In severe cases of depression, when patients are a threat to their own safety (high suicide risk) or the well-being of others, a residential hospital facility may be the safest option. Many hospitals offer inpatient programs on a permanent stay, day treatment, or outpatient basis. Depression treatment often includes administering medication, in addition to providing inpatients counseling and therapy support groups.