Depression is a common and complex mental health illness that affects one’s emotional, physical and cognitive well-being. It may be described as a feeling of sadness, loss, or anger that may have a major impact on everyday functioning. The relationships and routine life can be badly affected by depression. Both therapies and medicines can work well to treat depression.

Short-term depression is easily treatable by following a healthy lifestyle and therapies, but long-term depression can only be curable through medications and therapies. Different factors are responsible for causing depression, such as physiological, social and biological. Stressful experiences, trauma, death of loved ones and failure in relationships can trigger depression.

General signs and symptoms of Depression

Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness and loss. The symptoms of depression vary from mild to severe in each person. Some general signs and symptoms can include:

• feeling sad, hopeless and pessimistic
• loss of interest and energy
• insomnia or hypersomnia 
• weight loss/gain
• feeling of worthlessness or guilt
• lack of concentration
• thoughts of self-harm, death and suicide

Types of Depression

The types of depression are classified as follows:

• Major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Seasonal depression
• Postpartum depression
• Atypical depression

Depression Treatment Plans and Therapies

Depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. There are effective treatment plans, which include psychological treatments and medications. Approximately 80% to 90% people with depression who seek these treatments respond well. Psychological treatments are the basic treatment to treat depression, but sometimes the combined treatment with an antidepressant is needed in severe cases. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also known as “talk therapy”. Speaking with a therapist can help to learn the skill to cope with negative thoughts, feelings, and the factors that contribute to mental illness. Psychotherapy is an effective treatment in improving the symptoms with people in depression and other psychiatric disorders. It is often used along with an antidepressant. 

There is a wide range of psychological treatments for depression:

Cognitive behavior therapy(CBT)

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a “solutions-oriented” form of talk therapy that focuses on the idea that thoughts and perceptions can affect behaviors. Through CBT the therapist aims to find out unhealthy patterns of thoughts and to identify how they are causing harmful behaviors, negative beliefs and reactions about yourself. 

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

In interpersonal therapy, a therapist works to find out the problematic background that is a hurdle in healthy relationships. This therapy is beneficial in improving interpersonal relations and social connections and reducing stress and depression. 

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy combines the elements of Mindfulness and cognitive therapy in order to reduce depression symptoms effectively. It helps people to become more aware of their negative feelings and thoughts and learn to respond in a well-balanced way. This psychotherapy involves the mindfulness practices as meditation and identifies their thoughts and emotions in a non-judgmental way. It is an effective therapy to enable individuals to develop coping strategies to deal with depression.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy is a very effective talking therapy to treat anxiety, depression and other mental problems. It involves the unconscious and past events to find out the problematic relationship patterns and their link to the present scenario. It aims to treat unresolved conflicts and to settle down emotional sufferings through a therapy self-examination or self-analysis. This therapy is proven to be highly effective in increasing emotional insight, self-awareness and improved relationships.

Medication

Medications are recommended only when the depression becomes so severe that it can’t be controlled by therapies. These anti-depressants help to improve brain chemistry and to regulate the mood, anxiety disorders and prevent relapse. Medication is more effective when combined with psychotherapy. Medication is only allowed when prescribed by the doctor. 

Brain Stimulation Therapies

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

For some people, other procedures, sometimes called stimulation therapies, are suggested. In ECT, electric currents are passed through the brain to impact the function and effect of neurotransmitters to reduce depression. ECT is usually used for people who can’t take antidepressants for any reason.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(TMS)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a therapy that uses magnetic pulses to certain brain areas to stimulate the nerve cells in the brain, which are involved in mood regulation. It is a safe and painless procedure to treat acute depression. 

Other Approaches

Lifestyle Changes

When it comes to creating a depression treatment plan, focusing on lifestyle changes is of great importance: 

• Increase physical activity
• dietary changes
• Increase the quality of sleep
• Increase social support
• work interventions like wellness programs 
• quit negativity

Support Groups

Connecting socially with the groups who are having the same issues, sharing the same experiences, helps in ways such as reduced isolation, increased self-esteem, developed coping skills, and enhanced sense of hope and empowerment. Support groups play an important role in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression by providing emotional and psychological support, a sense of community, and improving coping skills.

Conclusion

Depression is a treatable mental illness that can be controlled and managed by both psychotherapy and antidepressants. There are some other factors too that play a great role in managing depression, such as social support, meditation, physical activities, and yoga. Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment in the reduction of depression and prevents its relapse even after the therapy is over. So, treat and seek help from professionals when the depression is in the initial stage.