Table of Contents
What are the two main types of treatments for depression?
SEVERE MAJOR DEPRESSION For people with severe depression, we suggest a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. It’s also reasonable to try antidepressants alone. (Psychotherapy is generally not used alone for patients with severe depression.) There’s no cure for depression, but there are lots of effective treatments. People can recover from depression and live long and healthy lives. Vitamin B-3 and Vitamin B-9 can help people with depression because B vitamins help the brain manage moods. Vitamin D, melatonin and St. John’s Wort are recommended for seasonal depression. Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and vitamin C may also help with depression. Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. Reach out to family and friends when times get hard. Get regular medical checkups, and see your provider if you don’t feel right. Get help if you think you’re depressed. Research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events.
What is the fastest way to treat depression?
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. While it is possible that an individual episode of depression may go away on its own without treatment, there is no guarantee that things won’t get worse before they get better. That is why it is important to seek immediate treatment at the first signs of depression. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from the disorder. It is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. It can also disturb sleep and appetite. SSRIs are among the most commonly prescribed medications. Some examples of SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft®), paroxetine (Paxil®), fluoxetine (Prozac®) and citalopram (Celexa®). Depression is a mental disorder characterized by sadness, demotivation, feelings of guilt and low self-esteem, accompanied by changes in sleep patterns and appetite, lack of concentration, and tiresome, which can become chronic and repetitive, making the person unable to function in daily activities.
What is the first drug of choice for depression?
The first-line medicine for patients with depression is generally a SSRI, e.g. citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline or fluoxetine (Tables 1 and 2). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. They can ease symptoms of moderate to severe depression, are relatively safe and typically cause fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants do. In August 2022 the FDA approved a drug called Auvelity which may offer faster relief for depression symptoms than other commonly used drugs. The medication is from the company Axsome, and is a combination drug that can be taken orally at home. People with clinical depression often have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down key neurotransmitters, resulting in very low levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Depression is a serious medical condition that is associated with symptoms such as melancholy, loss of pleasure, loss of energy, difficulty in concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. Depression is both a brain disorder and a state of mind. Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn’t the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.