Major depression refers to a psychiatric condition where you display such symptoms as sadness, hopelessness and irritability. You may have difficulty making decisions and concentrating. According to Medline Plus, major depression exists when you experience five or more of these symptoms for at least two weeks. The exact cause of depression is unclear but it may be an inherited condition or due to a chemical imbalance in your brain.
Step 1
Avoid consuming alcohol and using illicit drugs. The Mayo Clinic states that alcohol and drugs can worsen depression symptoms.
Step 2
Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes a day. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins (natural chemicals) that can help decrease your symptoms of depression.
Step 3
Consult your doctor about taking an herb called St. John's Wort. According to Medline Plus, German studies have shown that this can help sufferers of major depression.
Step 4
Visit your psychiatrist and obtain a prescription for a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). According to the Mayo Clinic, a SSRI is considered the first line of treatment for major depression. It works to balance the serotonin (chemical) levels in your brain and cure depression. A TCA is the second line of choice to treat major depression. An MAOI is the last choice of treatment because of its lethal side effects.
Step 5
Enhance your antidepressant's effectiveness with mood-stabilizing medications such as Lithium, thyroid supplements, stimulants, anti-anxiety medications or antipsychotic medications. Ask whether your doctor recommends combination medication therapy for your major depression.
Step 6
Get cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy or interpersonal therapy. These forms of counseling allow you to understand and cope with depression.
Step 7
Trigger a seizure in your brain with electroconvulsive therapy. The Mayo Clinic states that the electrical impulses sent to your brain can help balance the neurotransmitter (chemical) levels in your brain and cure major depression. Talk to your psychiatrist if you are interested in this form of treatment.
Step 8
Try alternative treatment methods such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or deep brain stimulation if you have exhausted all treatment options. According to the Mayo Clinic, VNS involves implanting a device that constantly sends electrical impulses into your brain. TMS involves placing an electromagnetic coil against your scalp to alter your mood. Deep brain stimulation is an experimental procedure where electrodes are implanted into your brain.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects to your antidepressant medications. Do not stop taking antidepressants without your doctor's help. These medications must safely be tapered. Be patient. The Mayo Clinic states that antidepressants make take 8 to 12 weeks to become fully effective.
- Some antidepressants can lead to an increase in suicidal thoughts during the first week of taking these medications. Some antidepressant medications can lead to serious health problems like liver damage. Talk to your doctor about your medication's risk before taking. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because some antidepressant medications can be harmful to your baby.
Things You'll Need
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- Mood-stabilizing medication such as Lithium
- Thyroid supplement
- Stimulants
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Antipsychotic medications
- St. John's Wort
