5 Essential Remedies for Depression
5 Essential
Remedies for Depression
The first thing to recognize
when speaking of depression and the different treatments for it, is that there
are different types of depression. Each of these types might require a
different treatment, in order to alleviate symptoms and cure the disease.
Depression and suicide are very much connected to each other. Often patients
who try to commit suicide are diagnosed with some form of depression or mental
disorder like trauma.
A major event in a person’s life
can result in ‘reactive depression’. This is when a person physically and
psychologically reacts to a problem in an extreme way. Post-traumatic stress
disorder is an example; this can result in a cycle of negative symptoms.
Talking therapy is a very good
way of treating depression of this type. The therapy could be with a counselor
or a psychologist. It could be in a group setting or it could be one on one.
Additionally an anti-depressant might be prescribed.
A chemical imbalance in the body
can result in what is called ‘endogenous depression.’ Talking therapies are
required, but this form of depression is a lot harder to treat than reactive
depression. In the first instance your doctor might prescribe a number of
different anti-depressants. This will help bring you to the point of feeling
sufficiently motivated to take part in counseling sessions.
Another form of depression is
post natal depression. If the mother wishes to continue breast feeding
throughout the treatment it can be difficult, the medication would then be
transferred to the baby through the mother’s milk. Depending on how severe the
depression is, the mother might be admitted to a clinic, providing there is a
mother and baby unit. When treating this form of depression it is best to keep
the mother and baby together so that their bonding process continues.
These days something that is
used is ECT (electro-compulsive therapy) this is only be used as a last resort
after a patient has been on at least three different anti-depressant
medications without results.
In order to increase the chances
of treatments being successful, lifestyle changes must be made. It is advised
that a balanced diet and abstaining from drinking alcohol will help the
recovery process during treatment.
Acknowledging depression and
seeking treatment does prevent suicide. Educating people in a positive way as
well as providing useful information about mental disorders and health issues
is important.
The above-mentioned methods are
the most common ways to medically treat patients suffering from depression.
However, aside from these, there is also a host of alternative therapies
available.
Medication, counseling groups
and psychology, ECT and of course a change in of lifestyle are all methods
which can help to speed up the recovery of someone suffering from depression.