Human minds are complex and today’s lives are hectic – this makes the field of mental health all the more important to keep up with. Due to a number of factors, the need for mental health awareness and professionals to guide people through their complex emotions has increased manifold. With hectic lifestyles and intricate feelings, depression has been on the rise.
People of all ages, lifestyles, and backgrounds seek depression treatment in today’s world – it has become the need of the hour. With various avenues available for therapy and treatment, many people are set to overcome their mental health challenges.
In this comprehensive blog, we will talk about what depression is and how to effectively find relief from the same.
What is depression?
Many people perceive depression as mere sadness; however, it is much more than that. It alters the brain chemistry of a person and has an extreme psychological impact on the person suffering from depression. The signs and symptoms you need to watch out for are very simple and can often be misunderstood as just being sad: losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, having no energy to function through the day, feeling overwhelmed and anxious persistently, and finding it difficult to get out of bed.
Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can have a number of causes – a traumatic experience, genetics, or even environmental factors. These can make everyday life difficult and impact their ability to perceive the world. This makes their treatment all the more important in today’s world.
How can depression be treated?
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy, often abbreviated as CBT, is a form of psychotherapy or talk therapy, to put it in simple terms. It helps many people battling with depression to identify the patterns of their thoughts and helps alter their actions on a behavioural level. This is known to have a significantly positive impact on their mental health, ensuring that their emotions are processed and regulated.
For many people, this type of cognitive therapy that alters their actions and behaviours is helpful – it oftentimes offers them clarity and improves their mental health. Cognitive behavioural therapy plays a significant role in major depressive disorder treatment as it follows a structured approach which effectively culminates in clarity and healing.
Medications
Another step in depression and anxiety symptoms and treatment is medications – with modern medicine developing rapidly, there are a number of effective anti-depressants that are available to treat depression. These anti-depressants are known to be one of the most beneficial ways of treatment as they alter the chemical balance in the brain of a person suffering from depression and release serotonin, ensuring emotional stability.
However, this pharmacological approach is often accompanied by different therapies to ensure its efficiency and comprehensive healing. Every professional at a mental health clinic will follow a personalised treatment approach to ensure maximum emotional regulation. Such tailored treatment can also ensure that all the individual needs of a person are addressed.
Lifestyle changes
One of the most basic therapeutic activities you can undertake as a part of your depression treatment, even without professional intervention, is making changes in your lifestyle. This can include dietary changes to incorporate healthier food such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, and more. It is important to avoid processed foods and go for healthier, more balanced options.
Another lifestyle change you can make to improve your depression and anxiety disorders is being physically active. You can incorporate exercise into your daily routine, stabilising your moods and lowering stress and anxiety. It is also suggested to follow a healthy sleep schedule to regulate your emotions better. Other than this, you can also limit your alcohol intake and avoid smoking to lead a better lifestyle and take the first step towards the improvement of your mental health.
Other treatments and therapies
Other than CBT, anti-depressants, and lifestyle changes, there are a number of other treatments you can go for to improve your mental health. One such treatment is ketamine infusion therapy – it is used for severe psychiatric issues such as major depression. It is generally used for people who are diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, which means those who have tried over two antidepressant treatments but in vain.
Final thoughts
Depression is one of the most rapidly increasing mental health issues which needs proper professional addressal to get better. There are a number of treatments for depression that are known to provide proper care and effective therapies. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which is a psychotherapy that involves talking about the issues and altering your behaviour, medications that include antidepressants and others to regulate your complex emotions, and lifestyle changes that include dietary changes, physical activities, and fixing your sleep schedule.
There are more intense therapies such as ketamine infusion therapy and more, but these require to be administered by a professional and are used for severe psychiatric cases. Remember, it is important to get help and not suffer silently – there is always room to get better.
