Depression is a serious mood disorder that can disrupt a person's life. While medication is often prescribed to manage symptoms, not everyone wants to use drugs. Luckily, depression can be effectively treated with other methods, like electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Patients may choose more than one method to manage depression's symptoms and are encouraged to talk to a doctor about treatment options.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy is an effective, yet controversial, method of treating depression. Also known as ECT, electroconvulsive therapy sends electrical currents to the brain through electrodes attached to the patient's head. The electrodes are placed on one or both sides of the head, and the therapy session lasts from 10 to 15 minutes. The electrical current causes a seizure, which quickly alleviates the symptoms. The Mayo Clinic notes that the mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy is unknown, though the main hypothesis is the electrical current affects the neurotransmitters in the brain; neurotransmitters, like serotonin, are linked to mood. Many people worry about the side effects of electroconvulsive therapy; the most common side effect is confusion, which does go away after time.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a recommended treatment for all depression patients, include patients who are using medication. The therapy targets the cause of the depression and helps the patient overcome it. Psychotherapy encompasses a variety of techniques, so patients need to find which method works best from them. Patients can have one-on-one therapy with a psychologist, or group therapy with other depression patients--each type of therapy has its own benefits. In one-on-one therapy, the patient works with the psychologist to replace negative behaviors with positive actions. In group therapy, patients can learn from one another which techniques work and can draw encouragement from the group.
Lifestyle Changes
Joanna Saisan and Melinda Smith, authors of the HelpGuide website's article "Depression Treatment," note that certain lifestyle changes can help with depression symptoms. Reducing stress can not only help the patient relax, but may help eliminate the cause of depression. A healthy diet is important: The University of Maryland Medical Center states that depression patients who ate omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish two to three times a week had a reduction in symptoms. Other lifestyle changes, like daily exercise and enough sleep every night, can also help treat depression.
