Major Depressive Disorder Treatment
- Therapy forms the basis of treatment for most major depressive disorder cases. The most common form is cognitive-behavior therapy, which adopts a two-pronged approach. The first teaches you methods of addressing the depressive symptoms when they strike: learning to identify negative patterns of thought and counter them with more positive patterns. The second entails the roots of your depression: causes such as childhood trauma, difficulties at home, or work or familial relations. By pinpointing the causes and helping resolve the issues left behind, therapy can eliminate your depression over the long term. Such treatment requires a trained counselor and doesn't work overnight, but with hard work, it can ensure that the depression doesn't return.
- Medication rarely constitutes the only means of curing depression, but it often works very well when combined with therapy and other types of medical treatment. The most common types of medication are SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressants, which include Prozac and Zoloft. They work by increasing serotonin levels in your brain, which helps elevate your mood. Other types of medication include tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and sedatives. In each case, you should take them only with a doctor's prescription and then only in the amounts he recommends. Be sure to mention any other types of medication you are on; they may react badly with the antidepressant and the doctor can usually prescribe something safer if he has all the facts.
- Patients suffering from major depressive disorder can make great strides forward by adopting healthy habits. Regular exercise makes an excellent place to start; it boosts energy levels and increases optimistic feelings. Set a regular sleep schedule -- going to bed and waking up at the same time -- and eat nutritious meals at set times during the day. Try to maintain healthy relationships with people who love and support you, and avoid toxic relationships or those that add to your depression. Herbal remedies such as SAM-e and St. John's wort may be helpful as well, though be sure to tell you doctor you are taking them in case he intends to prescribe you any medication.
