Depression is one of the most complex emotional disorders. It has been the subject of countless research studies, yet scientists are still unclear as to whether depression is caused by genetics, brain chemistry, psychological factors or all of the above. The variety of theories about the causes of depression has led to an abundance of potential treatments. These may include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, alternative medicine, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy and exercise. In some cases, best results are achieved by combining different types of treatments.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the most common medical treatments for depression. They act on chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are responsible for emotion. Neurotransmitters relay messages from a sending neuron to a receiving neuron. The space between these neurons is known as the synapse.
After the neurotransmitters have transmitted their message to the brain, they can be reabsorbed and reused by a process called reuptake. Serotonin and norepinephrine are two neurotransmitters associated with emotion. Low levels of these chemical messengers are associated with depression. SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake process, which keeps more serotonin in the synapse. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Luvox and Celexa are examples of SSRIs.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a classic method for treating major depression. It involves talking about a patient's depression in order to gain an understanding of its causes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps the patient identify negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones. Those who support the cognitive behavior approach believe that even if a negative situation cannot change, adjusting one's attitude about it can help cure depression.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, uses electric currents, which are sent to the brain to stimulate a seizure. It is usually reserved for patients who do not respond to drug or psychotherapy treatment and who pose a risk for suicide.
Light Therapy
Although light therapy is usually associated with seasonal affective disorders, a group of researchers in Denmark tested its efficiency in treating non-seasonal major depression. The study involved 102 patients who were treated for 5 weeks with either white bright light or red dim light therapy. All patients received a fixed dosage of the antidepressant sertraline. Results showed significant reductions in depression in the bright-light group.
Exercise
Although exericse as a cure for depression is not heavily supported by research, research performed at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center indicates that there may be a scientific basis for this belief. The study involved 156 adult volunteers who had been diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. Participants were randomly assigned to a 4-month course of cardiovascular exercise, sertraline therapy, or a combination of exercise and sertraline. After 10 months, the participants in the exercise-only group exhibited the lowest rates of depression.
