Treatment types
The most well-known treatment for depression are antidepressant medications. However, several nonmedication-based treatments exist and have been shown to be effective. Below we will explore antidepressants and three other types of effective treatment methods
Anti-Depressants
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Non-Medicated Treatment
Medications are not the only available treatment option for individuals with depression. Several treatment options exist including therapy, the use of service animals and exercising.
Therapy: Several different kinds of therapies exist for the treatment of depression and are chosen based on individual needs. Therapy is the number one recommended treatment for mild to moderate depression. Research shows Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to be the most effective for the treatment of depression. CBT focuses on changing distorted thinking about the self and the world, and includes behavioral interventions designed to improve interpersonal functioning and to consolidate healthier coping and thinking. Other therapies that are also evidence-based therapies for depression include: interpersonal therapy, and brief psychodynamic therapy. For more severe depression, medications should be added to therapy Service Animals: Support animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, and even crickets have been shown to help improve mental health through their ability to provide social support. A 2016 study found that older patients who were given five crickets to care for became less depressed after eight weeks than those in a control group who had not been given crickets to care for. Support animals provide more than just social support, they also provide companionship, comfort and affection. Exercise: The relationship between engagement in exercise and decreases in depression is well established. The largest effects are generally seen in shorter exercise routines, typically lasting 45 minutes or less, leading to improvements in mood regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. The benefits of exercise go far beyond just helping to treat depression. Studies have shown that individuals who exercise regularly are less likely to even develop depression, suggesting that exercise acts as a preventative factor. |
Anxiety, Stress & Coping; Western Journal of Nursing Research
Ducharme, J. (2018, January) The Power of Exercise. Time.
Ducharme, J. (2018, January) The Power of Exercise. Time.