Depression is a common mental health condition that impacts people of different ages, backgrounds, and life situations. While it may feel like a person is going through depression alone, it is highly treatable when a person gets the right professional help, lifestyle changes, and continuous support. Knowing how to treat depression and having a support system helps in recovering and attaining emotional stability.
For people wanting to access depression care services, there are tailored, evidence-based treatment options through specialized mental health providers like
How to Treat Depression, which specializes in integrated and tailored depression treatment in Texas.
This guide discusses how to treat depression using clinically validated approaches, how customized treatment approaches are developed, and the critical details to understand for individuals and families in the process of seeking help.
Going Deeper into Depression that Goes Beyond Feeling Sad
A common misconception is that when an individual is depressed, all they feel is sadness or that they are in a bad mood. Depression is a mental health disorder and is categorized as a medical condition. It impacts a person\\’s overall functioning as well as their thinking and feelings. The following are some of the symptoms of depression:
- Constant feelings of sadness or emptiness
- A lack of interest or apathy towards hobbies and activities that used to be enjoyable
- A pervasive feeling of tiredness, or a lack of energy
- A sense of being overwhelmed when faced with the inability to concentrate or to make decisions
- Experiencing changes in sleep
- A feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
- Thinking of suicide or death
- Experiencing headaches or pain in the body
Symptoms of depression are susceptible to change from episode to episode and have varying degrees of severity, leading to a very broad range of symptoms, and this is just some of the symptoms and some of the possible consequences that can be experienced from being untreated. A self-diagnosis of depression is ineffective and can lead to greater consequences because some are potentially life-threatening. A professional evaluation is required to determine a depression diagnosis.
See also: How Kentucky Mental Health Treatment Programs Support Long-Term Recovery
The Importance of Timeliness of Treatment
The importance of being diagnosed and treated early cannot be emphasized enough and can be the difference between life and death. It is a cornerstone of effective depression treatment. If left untreated, the impacts depression may have on relationships, jobs, health, and overall quality of life are devastating. It can lead to worsening of symptoms and lead to the development of substance use disorders, and the development of other mental health issues, such as anxiety and the development of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Early intervention can:
- Diminish how bad the symptoms are
- Shorten how long someone has been depressed
- Improve how someone recovers long-term
- Prevent relapses
- Restore daily activities and emotional stability
Getting help the first time is a good thing because you are being responsible and taking action.
Treating depression with therapies that have proven results
Modern mental health care has multiple proven ways of treating depression. The best results come from a mix of treatments that are specific to the individual.
1. Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
Psychotherapy is one of the first steps to depression treatment. Psychotherapy is a mental health professional, the individual can’t find the source of their depression, develop coping skills, and change their negative thought patterns.
The most common techniques are:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most researched therapies and is effective for depression. It works by analyzing which negative thoughts and/or behavior results in depression, and works to change them one at a time.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps to manage emotional pain and is great for self-harm and emotional dysregulation.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT helps with depression that occurs because of a jarring life event. It also helps to fill the gaps that the event created in one’s social life, which helps to alleviate depression.
Psychodynamic Therapy
This approach helps patients explore emotions, feelings, mood, and behaviors, and how they may be influenced by past experiences.
2. Medication Management
Medications are necessary for the treatment of moderately severe and severe Major Depressive Disorder. Medications help manage and even out the brain’s chemicals, which regulate and control moods and emotions.
Some of the more common classes of medication are:
- SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
- SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)
- Atypical antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants (in some cases)
Medication management should be completed by a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner and should include monitoring the effectiveness of the medication, the side effects, and whether or not there should be a change in the dosage.
3. Integrated and Holistic Treatment Approaches
Remaining treatment strategies are important in managing a person’s depression. Integrated treatment strategies focus on the total person, which incorporates one’s state of physical health, emotional state, and mental health.
These may include:
- Stress management techniques
- Mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques
- Sleep hygiene
- Nutrition
- Movement and exercise therapy
These strategies are important alongside clinical strategies to make improvements to adaptability, psychosocial health, and long-term clinical outcomes.
Depression Treatment: Levels of Care
The management and treatment of depression needs to be tailored to the individual’s needs. Care strategies depend on how severe the individual’s symptoms are, the daily functioning of the individual, and whether or not there are safety concerns.
Levels of care include:
- Outpatient Therapy: Mild to moderate depression is treated with therapy once or twice a week.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Therapy is more structured and has to be completed several times a week.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): All-day therapy is done with a clinician/supervisor.
- Inpatient Treatment: For more severe depression or to mitigate suicidal risk, patients must be treated 24/7.
Unnecessary interruptions to a patient’s life are avoided by a professional evaluation, guaranteeing that the patient will receive the necessary care.
Depression Treatment with Co-Existing Conditions
Other mental health/substance use disorders accompany depression. Other co-existing conditions include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Alcohol or drug addiction
In these cases, integrated dual-diagnosis treatment is necessary. It is common for a health care professional to treat just one condition, only to have the patient relapse. This is also the case for patients with incomplete recovery.
Family and Support System Influence
Loved ones can facilitate or hinder recovery. Family therapy and psychoeducation can help loved ones:
- Understand that depression is a medical condition.
- Learn effective communication strategies.
- Reduce stigma and blame.
- Provide healthy encouragement without pressure.
A good support system is found to improve emotional stability and treatment adherence.
Lifestyle Changes That Support Depression Recovery
Depression is a very difficult condition to manage. Depression is a mental health condition triggered by a variety of factors, and while professional help is crucial, there are things you can do to improve and manage your own mental health. The key to strengthening your clinical improvements and dealing with depression is to make small, positive daily changes. The following everyday strategies can help you improve your mental health and manage your depression:
- Develop a sleep cycle and stick to it
- Start an exercise program you can stick with
- Create a nutrition plan and stick to it. Your meals should be filled with the proper nutrients and should avoid processed foods and added sugars.
- Minimize your use of alcohol and illicit drugs
- Use mindfulness techniques to help clear your head.
- Use meditation techniques to relax your mind.
- Create a to-do list every day with tasks you plan to finish.
These techniques do not replace the treatment you are getting, but they can improve your results.
Overcoming Barriers to Seeking Help
Seeking professional help can be a daunting task, so Lonestar Mental Health is here. There are, unfortunately, many stigmas, fears, and misconceptions regarding getting help. The treatment is sought because of the idea that one should be able to manage their condition. Some of the most common reasons for not seeking treatment are:
- ”Only patients with severe illnesses should see a therapist.”
- ”The drugs they prescribe will make me go insane and change my whole identity.”
- ”I have to be strong and not ask for help.”
nd of these beliefs make it seem like depression is a disease of character and not a mental health disorder that needs to be treated. Seeking professional help is a sign of strength and a self-commitment to improving your health.
Long-Term Management and Relapse Prevention
In the initial phase of treating depression, the symptoms reduce, and there is a period of improvement. The work does not stop there, and it does not mean that treatment is over. The focus of the next stage is to manage stability and to prevent relapses.
This may include:
- Check-ins or therapy
- Then, there’s maintaining meds when appropriate
- Recognizing warning signs
- Planning stress management,
- Keeping lifestyle support
Most people improve their quality of life with the right plan.
Conclusion: Healing Is Possible
Feeling depressed entails. But with professional, evidence-based remedy and care, people regain control, clarity, and emotional balance.
If someone you care for, or you, is stuck, learning the specialized care needed, how to treat depression can become the guiding principle to everlasting recovery and wellness.
