Depression is a mood disorder that impacts the way you think, feel, and behave in significant ways. Everyday tasks may seem extraordinarily difficult, and things that once made you happy are now draining and tiresome. In the worst cases, you may feel indifferent about your own wellbeing, or even suicidal.
Symptoms caused by depression often leave people feeling hopeless, but there is plenty of hope for recovery. Below are three solutions to combat depression:
Therapy and Medication
Therapy and antidepressant medication are two of the most common treatments for depression, and they’re often used in coordination with one another to tackle multiple causes or symptoms of depression. The most common kind of talk therapy is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which centers on thinking patterns and cognitive skills. CBT is used to develop healthier coping mechanisms, use problem-solving skills, and learn to recognize their own cognitive distortions. This therapy focuses on moving forward and learning to manage one’s depression independently.
Antidepressant medications are also used to reduce the chemical imbalances and functional errors in the brain that cause depression. There are many different kinds of antidepressants, including:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This is the most common type of antidepressant, and the type with the least side effects.
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Similar to SSRIs, but not exactly the same. Some respond better to SNRIs than SSRIs, but one is not always more effective than the other.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Often prescribed after SSRIs or SNRIs have been tried, TCAs are an older antidepressant treatment. They are sometimes recommended for treating other mental illnesses, like OCD or bipolar disorder.
Antidepressants are prescribed by a doctor and can be used as a short or long-term solution for depression.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
If you’ve tried antidepressants but haven’t found success, other treatment options available. One safe and effective treatment is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is designed to treat depression, OCD, and other common disorders safely and effectively. TMS works by emitting gentle magnetic pulses to the area of the brain that regulates mood. These pulses activate specific areas of the brain and decrease symptoms of depression.
TMS does not require anesthesia, hospitalization, and has no systemic side effects. During the 20-minute treatment session, patients are awake and sit in a comfortable chair, and they are able to drive home after treatment. TMS is FDA approved and is covered by most insurance.
TMS has a high success rate for patients with treatment-resistant depression and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Even in cases where medications are not effective, TMS can help you overcome symptoms and experience the best version of yourself.
Psychedelic Therapy
Ketamine is the most-studied psychedelic drug for mental health therapy. In low doses, it has shown to be beneficial in numerous trials exploring its potential to treat depression. Traditional medications often take several weeks to work, or may only work for as long as a person takes them. Most research on psychedelic therapy, by contrast, has found an immediate improvement, sometimes with a single dose.
Relief Mental Health is proud to offer SPRAVATO® (esketamine), the first and only NMDA receptor antagonist approved for adults with treatment resistant depression. It’s administered under medical supervision in a therapeutic room, and your physical and mental health are expertly monitored during care. Psychedelic therapy demonstrates consistent safety across indications and can only be administered in a certified healthcare setting. Relief Mental Health is an REMS-certified provider of SPRAVATO® for people with treatment-resistant depression.
SPRAVATO® can be used in conjunction with TMS treatment, antidepressants, and psychotherapy. Most patients engage in more than one form of treatment while to achieve optimal health.
If you suffer from depression, don’t lose hope! With the right treatment plan, you can conquer your depression and feel happy again. Relief Mental Health can help you get to a better place. Call us at 630-974-6602 or via the form below to learn more about the right treatment option for you.
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