depression 

Medical Treatments

Individuals facing depression, depending on the type, often find support and relief by consulting with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professionals. In severe cases, a combination of medications and psychotherapy can prove effective. A primary care psychiatrist has the authority to prescribe medications aimed at alleviating symptoms and facilitating the overall management of depression. “Using a nationally representative survey, this study seeks to better understand the relationship between depression and medical treatment by examining the association of depression with each of the four key constructs of primary care. Results are examined by whether individuals received treatment for depression and, if so, whether that therapy was provided in primary care or in a specialty mental health setting. The goal is to better disentangle the impact of depressive symptoms and the treatment of those symptoms on use of medical services” (M.D, 2008). The three most prevalent types of treatment for depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, which falls under the umbrella of Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. These therapeutic approaches aim to address and manage depressive symptoms through distinct methodologies.

Highlights

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

  The described type of therapy is a psycho-social intervention designed to alleviate symptoms associated with depression and anxiety disorders. It stands out as one of the most effective treatment approaches for addressing substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Individuals undergoing this therapy collaborate with a mental health counselor over multiple sessions, focusing on increasing awareness of inaccurate thinking patterns. The goal is to enable them to perceive challenging situations more clearly and develop more effective responses.

• Inter-Personal Therapy

  The described form of therapy concentrates on alleviating symptoms through the enhancement of interpersonal functioning. It specifically targets current issues within relationships rather than delving into childhood or developmental matters. “I-CBT focuses on taking the information that is gained dialectally in a non-abrupt manner, emotionally intelligent manner and utilizing this data in order to help the patient challenge and change his or her faulty thinking therefore changing the uncomfortable emotions and unwanted behaviors that follow”(Cordier, 2016).

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy 

  “Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a powerful, evidence-based treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.”(Susan L. Woods, 2019). It integrates cognitive therapy principles with serious practices and attitudes rooted in the refinement of mindfulness.

Natural Treatments

Some depression types are very mild and can be treated naturally. Modifying behavior, engaging in physical activities, making lifestyle adjustments, and, at times, altering thought patterns all constitute natural treatments for depression. Initiating a new exercise routine is particularly beneficial, as it can enhance the production of endorphins, known as "feel-good" chemicals in the brain. Eating healthy is also a great treatment. “Really it kind of amazes me that when people have a health condition, they will go to the doctor and take a pharmaceutical drug, maybe for years, when there might have been some kind of dietary change they could have done and probably there is no more profound trigger and control of epigenetics than diet and nutrition” CITATION Wel19 \l 1033  (Wellia, 2019). We as human beings are all guilty of just eating what we want and not monitoring things that we should actually be eating to be healthier. In your diet, this can be beneficial for alleviating depression. These nutrients are believed to contribute to overall mental well-being. Set a few new goals for yourself and aim to reach them. Depression sometimes will make you feel as if you can not accomplish anything, push back and tell yourself you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Start off with small goals and everyday make them larger and larger. Make sure you’re getting sufficient sleep as well. Try out different sounds that seem to soothe you to help you fall asleep if you find it hard to do. Limit your TV time and computer time until your sleep cycle improves. Depression also tends to cause people to want to pull back from society and life so try taking on a few extra responsibilities to help you stay more involved and that will help to ground you and give you a sense of accomplishment. Create a bucket list of new things you find interesting and once a week or month try one of those things, challenge yourself to do something different, doing this will alter the levels of Dopamine, which is associated with pleasure, enjoyment and learning. “There is only correlative evidence between certain nutrients, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins, and depression in human population studies. Growing evidence suggests that consumption of these compounds may represent an alternative strategy to delay the onset and progression of depression, and depressive-like symptoms. However, further randomized and placebo-controlled trials are necessary to confirm the potential of these compounds as a possible remedy for this debilitating disorder.” CITATION Nab17 \l 1033  (Nabavi & Daglia, 2017). “So, if you eat well, exercise, meditate, work on your inner health and spiritual development, work on relationships that are robust. Trying to be in a place that's stimulating to you intellectually, supportive of you emotionally, rich spiritually. Then I think you're much less likely to express that depressive predisposition”  CITATION Wel19 \l 1033 (Wellia, 2019).