Depression is a serious mental health issue that requires a treatment plan. If you’re suffering from depression, you might be experiencing issues at work and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. You probably have issues eating and sleeping, have trouble concentrating, feel fatigued and have a sense of hopelessness. Life might seem bleak and you might feel as if life isn’t worth living, but these symptoms are caused by your mental health problem that can be reduced or alleviated with a good treatment plan.
Step 1
Seek the help of a mental health professional such as a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist. These professionals specialize in working with individuals who suffer from mental health disorders and help those individuals devise a treatment plan. You shouldn’t do this on your own. A mental health professional will be able to explain each treatment option in detail and help you choose what’s right for you.
Step 2
Consider each treatment option. MayoClinic.com reports that a combination of medication and psychotherapy seems to be effective for many people. However, if you suffer from severe depression you might consider electroconvulsive therapy or need an inpatient program to stabilize your mood. You can also involve family members in your treatment with family therapy. Each person needs his own individual treatment plan, because what works for one person might not work for another.
Step 3
Pick the treatment options that meet your goals, and write down a specific plan. For example, you might include once-a-week marriage counseling in your treatment plan to address issues you’re having with your spouse and improve communication. Continue to refer to your written or typed treatment plan in order to evaluate whether or not your treatment is working.
Step 4
Discuss self-help options with your therapist and include them in your treatment plan. Self-help options include getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night, eating healthfully, exercising each day, spending time with friends and family members and avoiding alcohol and drugs.
Step 5
Include something in your treatment plan that addresses suicidal thinking. You want to have an emergency plan in case you start to have thoughts about hurting yourself. This might include calling your therapist, 911 or a suicide hotline or going to your local psychiatric emergency room.
Tips and Warnings
- Once you’ve determined a treatment plan, don’t be afraid to change it. If something isn’t working for you, discuss it with your therapist and doctor and make changes. For instance, you might experience negative side effects from taking an antidepressant, so you could switch to another medication or replace the medication with other treatment options.
