Depression is a mood and mental health disease that can be severely debilitating. It affects about 20 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Symptoms can range from sadness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, sleep disturbances, detachment from friends and family, weight loss, fatigue and thoughts of suicide. Treatment and management of depression is an ongoing process and can vary, depending on the type and severity. The most common and effective management and treatment options include psychotherapy, medication and exercise.
Pychotherapy
Depression can be effectively managed and treated with psychotherapy. Some mental health professionals may work with clients to make cognitive and behavioral changes. Other approaches may include working with family and friends to create a stronger support network. Some mental health professionals may also recommend a combination of therapy with medication or therapy, with significant changes to the client's diet and exercise. In a large review of the effectiveness of psychotherapy, Dr. Greg Mulhauser says it's highly effective in treating and managing depression, although there can be a significant variation in the effectiveness, depending on individual counselors. This finding suggests that depressed people may need to see several therapists before finding the best fit for treatment.
Medication
Some people with depression treat and manage it through medication and supplements. Most of the medications and over-the-counter supplements are engineered to increase the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the system. The main medications are tricyclics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The most effective over-the-counter supplement is St. John's Wort, which contains the active ingredient Hypericum perforatum. In the March 2008 issue of American Family Physician, Dr. Stephen Adams and associates performed a large-scale meta-analysis of the effectiveness of the most widely used antidepressants. They found that the medication antidepressants showed very little difference in effectiveness and that effective results took a minimum of several weeks. In addition, they found that each medication carried unique side effects and that serious precautions should be taken if the patient is on other medications that can cause a negative interaction.
Exercise
Regular exercise, combined with a healthy diet and adequate exposure to sunlight, may help people with mild to moderate depression. The Mayo Clinic says exercise helps in managing and treating depression by releasing essential neurotransmitters, as well as euphoria-producing endorphins. It also says exercise boosts the immune system, which can reduce depression. Other benefits of exercise include improved self-confidence, a positive distraction from daily stress and more positive social interaction. In addition, in an article in the January 2005 issue of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, Dr. Andrea Dunn and associates found that moderate and consistent aerobic exercise reduced depression scores by 47 percent.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Depression
- Counselling Resource: Evaluating Therapeutic Effectiveness in Counselling And Psychotherapy
- American Family Physician: "Pharmacologic Management of Adult Depression"
- Mayo Clinic: Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms
- "American Journal of Preventative Medicine"; Exercise Treatment For Depression:Efficacy and Dose Response; Andrea Dunn; January 2005
