If you’ve tried these treatment options previously and have failed to find relief, a visit to a ketamine clinic may be the best option to find depression treatment that alleviates your symptoms.
Depression is a mood disorder that can affect everything you do. Many people who suffer from depression think they are just experiencing a bout of sadness and it will go away over time. For some, this is true and these feelings will go away, but for others this feeling is persistent. For those 15 million people who experience depression as a constant feeling, they may benefit from some extra support and help. This assistance usually comes in the form of different depression treatments that are put together by mental health professionals.
When someone is diagnosed with depression, there is a wide range of effective treatments available. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another, so treatment is very individualized. Most people see improvements in their symptoms when they are treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy, however, these are not the only options for depression treatment.
First-Line Depression Treatments
As mentioned above, medication and psychotherapy are the most common treatment options and are also referred to as first-line treatments.
Medication
When it comes to medication, antidepressants can be an effective intervention for treating depression symptoms. Not all antidepressants work the same way, the prescription will depend on particular symptoms of depression, as well as potential side effects and other factors.
Antidepressants work by affecting chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters associated with depression are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The way medication affects these neurotransmitters determines the class to which the antidepressant belongs. The most common of these are:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy involves discussing issues with a therapist so that they can help detect thought patterns or behaviors that contribute to a person’s depression. From these sessions, a therapist can help create strategies to identify and avoid triggers that make depression symptoms worse. They can also assist a person in developing coping mechanisms to combat the triggers.
Natural Remedies for Depression
There are numerous natural remedies for depression that can be used to gain relief from symptoms. These include various herbal supplements as well as other mind-body approaches.
Herbal Supplements
For someone living with depression who opts to not take prescription medication, several herbal supplements may assist in relieving symptoms. St. John’s wort has been linked with increased serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a feel-good chemical in the brain which people with depression are usually low in. St. John’s wort does react with certain medications, so it is important to consult with a doctor before taking. The other notable supplement is Omega-3 fatty acids. These are a healthy type of fat that is found in fattier cuts of fish, such as salmon and trout. Researchers have found that people with depression often have low levels of two brain chemicals that are found in fish oil supplements.
Mind-Body
Mind-body approaches such as acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, and yoga are becoming increasingly popular as complementary treatments for depression. These can be utilized on their own or as part of a more traditional treatment plan. Each of the activities in this category promotes stress relief and relaxation which can help reduce depression symptoms.
If All Else Fails
Sometimes depression is severe and the symptoms do not respond to the treatments mentioned so far. For those who fall into this category, there are more intensive options.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
This is a procedure that is performed under general anesthesia in which small electric currents are passed into the brain. These currents cause changes to brain chemistry, which can reverse symptoms of depression.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. A coil is placed on the patient’s head which sends short magnetic pulses to the brain. The pulses target certain nerve cells responsible for mood regulation and depression.
Ketamine
Ketamine infusion therapy is rapidly growing as an effective treatment for depression. Ketamine has been shown to reduce depression symptoms quickly where antidepressant medications can take a long time to provide relief. Unlike traditional medications that typically increase chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, ketamine helps to regrow synapses which typically do not function correctly in depression patients.
If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, it is best to seek professional help. Diagnosis and treatment of this disorder should only come from trained mental health clinicians. They will be able to assist in finding the best depression treatment to help alleviate your depression symptoms. Should you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team. It would be our pleasure to provide all the needed information to get you moving toward mental health and well-being.
