Depression - The Latest Treatments and Theories

Jun 13

Introduction

Depression is a condition that affects millions of people every year. If you've been diagnosed with depression, or you think you may suffer from it, this article will help answer some of your questions about this illness, the available treatments, and current clinical trials that are available.

It's Okay to Talk About Your Depression - You are not alone.

It's okay to talk about your depression. You are not alone.

Depression is a real medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including the famous and successful. Depression is not a weakness and it's certainly not something to be ashamed of. In fact, studies have shown that talking about your depression can actually help you feel better faster! By sharing with others what you're going through, you'll be surprised at how many people can relate or empathize with you on some level—and who might have some useful advice to offer in return.

It's important to note that while there are many different types of therapy available today (including talk therapy), they all focus on helping people identify their triggers so they can avoid them in the future - whether these triggers are bad habits like drinking too much coffee or something more situational like losing their job or falling out with friends etcetera...

Sharing With Friends and Family May Help With Stress - Having someone to talk to can help alleviate symptoms of depression.

You can't control your thoughts and feelings, but you can control your actions.
You can't always control the way you feel, but you can control how you react to those feelings.
You can’t always control other people, but you get to decide how they affect your moods and emotions.

Anti-depressants work very slowly, so give them time before judging their effectiveness.

One of the most common questions I get asked by my patients is, “When will I feel better?” The answer is that it usually takes at least 6 weeks to see an improvement with anti-depressants, and sometimes up to 3 months. If you don’t start to feel better after these time periods, talk to your doctor about other options such as psychotherapy or a different type of medication.

The most effective treatments for depression are a combination of medication and therapy. Sometimes self-help with books or on-line sources may also be used to augment treatment.

Medication is not a cure, but it can help you feel better. If you have severe depression that lasts more than two weeks, talk to your doctor about what medications might be right for you.

For milder cases, some people might find that psychotherapy (also known as “talk” therapy) helps them manage their symptoms. In addition to traditional one-on-one sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist, online talking programs have been shown to improve depressive symptoms in some people who don't want or need in-person therapy sessions (although they are not yet approved by the FDA).

There are many different kinds of anti-depressants, and not all of them work the same way. If one doesn't work, don't give up - ask your doctor what else you can try.

The most common type of depression, called "major depressive disorder," is characterized by feelings of hopelessness and sadness that interfere with day-to-day life. Other symptoms include loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, insomnia or sleeping too much, appetite changes (usually a decrease), difficulty concentrating or making decisions, fatigue and loss of energy just to name a few!

Other types include: Postpartum depression (occurs after birth), Seasonal Affective Disorder (depression during fall/winter seasons), Bipolar Disorder(mania alternating with depression) and Anxiety Disorders such as panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder.

There are many different kinds of anti-depressants available on the market today; however not all will work for everyone. Some may take weeks before you begin to feel any improvement at all! If one medication does not help you then do not give up - ask your doctor what else you can try!

Depression research is always progressing, but there are things we know help now.

The most effective treatments for depression are a combination of medication and therapy.
Sometimes self-help with books or on-line sources may also be used to augment treatment.
There are many different kinds of anti-depressants, and not all of them work the same way.

There are also novel treatments for depression like psilocybin currently being studied.

There are also novel treatments for depression, like psilocybin, currently being studied. Psilocybin is a hallucinogen that has been shown to help people with depression. One small study of patients with life-threatening cancer that used psilocybin found that 80% of the participants reported feeling better and only one said they felt worse after taking it. These results were sustained at 6 months follow up. Another study showed that a single high dose of psilocybin reduced symptoms in people with treatment-resistant depression over the course of 5 weeks' time as well as reducing anxiety scores on standard scales by more than 50%.

Although this research is promising and exciting for scientists who are interested in psychedelic medicine (and many are), it is not FDA approved yet and therapeutic uses must be researched further before they can be made available clinically.

Conclusion

We hope that you have a better understanding of what depression is, how it works, and why we don't fully understand it yet. Talking about it helps to demystify the problem and make people feel less alone in their suffering. We also encourage you to discuss your particular symptoms with your doctor and find out which treatment is best for you. If an anti-depressant doesn't work, don't give up - ask your doctor what else you can try. There are many different types of medications on the market now that work in different ways, and sometimes non-medication treatments such as psychotherapy or lifestyle changes (like increasing exercise or adopting a pet) may help as well. And remember: if you are ever feeling suicidal, call a suicide hotline immediately!