Content

• Steps
• Warning

Anyone suffering from depression understands how difficult each day goes. You don't want to get out of bed, go to work or even contact your friends. Maybe you have a clinical diagnosis or you understand that you are not alone. Fortunately, there are many treatments for depression, including different therapies, medications, or lifestyle changes that help bring you back to love.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Explore options

1. 

   See a doctor. Before you go into treatment for depression, you need a complete physical exam. To find the treatment that best suits your depression, you need to find out the cause of the illness, such as stroke, side effects of medications, or the use of drugs (alcohol or other drugs). . This helps you figure out the next step in your treatment.
   • Be sure to fully provide symptoms of depression (insomnia, loss of appetite, depressed mood, etc.) with your doctor.
   • Ask your doctor if the depression is caused by a medical condition. Your doctor will conduct tests to find out why. If your doctor thinks the cause is a medical condition, you may need to treat the illness before treating your depression. After treating the illness you will notice that your depression also subsides. If not, you can look into non-pharmacological treatments like therapy.
   • Ask your doctor if any medications you are taking are causing depression. If the answer is yes, you can ask for an alternative medicine so as not to interfere with your depressive symptoms.
   • If you use drugs, such as drugs or alcohol, your depression can be seriously affected. Talk to your doctor about a rehabilitation or therapy program.

2. 

   
   
   Explore the treatment. Understand that therapy will help you decide if this is the right treatment for you. Talk therapy and psychotherapy are available for 1 hour per week (but can be adjusted if needed). Many therapists graduate with Master's degrees (MA, MFT, MSW, LCSW), others have PhDs (PhD or PsyD). When choosing a therapist or psychologist, pay attention to the therapies they use (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), explained in detail in step 2. ), the age of the patients they treat (many only treat children, others treat all ages), and their therapeutic expertise (you will want to find someone who specializes in treating depressive disorder) .
   • You can find information about therapists or psychologists online. Or contact the hospital directly to request treatment.
   • Think about your own affordability and the benefits of each type of insurance. Some types of insurance have a parallel coverage policy (you pay a small amount, the rest will pay off), others require you to pay a higher percentage of the fee. Ideally, you should talk directly with your health insurance company representative about their treatment options.
   • If you do not have health insurance, you may want to consider personal support social services that do not purchase insurance. Or you can look for local, low-cost, large-scale medical services.

3. 

   
   
   Consider medication. Some individuals choose the first method of treatment that is to use antidepressants. Antidepressants can reduce the likelihood of depression recurring. However, you must understand that depression is best treated with a combination of medications and therapies.
   • With the method of taking drugs, most patients receive antidepressants and other drugs from their own doctor or general practitioner. However, these physicians are not highly trained in treating depression. See a psychiatrist who is trained in mental health issues.
   • You can consult information about psychiatrists online or contact the hospital directly.

4. 

   
   
   Determination of self-reliance. Self-reliance is a way of self-medicating for depression without the use of therapies or medications. This option is especially helpful for people with mild depression.
   • Self-help methods include: journaling, artistic creation, using relaxation skills, supplementing knowledge about depression. Ask your doctor for accurate, practical, easy-to-understand self-help books or flyers to help you learn more about depression. Try reading "Overcoming Depression" or "The Feeling Good Handbook", which are "recommended" by a psychiatrist for people with mild depression.
   • Some herbal medicines and vitamins like St. John's. John's Wort also has the ability to reduce depression. They are good options if you don't want to take prescription medications or suffer from the negative side effects of the drug (such as increased suicidal thoughts) or want a more cost-effective method. However, St. John's Wort should not be used in conjunction with other antidepressants or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) because they can cause dangerous side effects, such as serotonin syndrome. You need to discuss treatment with your doctor or a psychologist to deal with negative interactions with your prescription or unwanted side effects.
   • Supplements like 5-HTP are less effective in reducing depression but also have side effects. Be cautious and always discuss with your personal doctor or psychiatrist before taking any medication.
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Method 2 of 5: Get Psychological Treatment

1. 

   Consider a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as your first choice. CBT is an effective treatment for depression. This method helps to uncover the causes of present feelings. Focus mainly on awareness (what you think) and behavior (how you act). These thoughts and actions will affect how you feel. If you are taking this treatment, you should see a specialist who will help you identify your thinking habits or situations that make you feel depressed. Once you find the cause of your depression, you can initiate treatment to improve your mental state.
   • CBT also focuses on changing ways of thinking and behaving. This includes learning to think rationally about things that make you unhappy.
   • CBT can help you learn to think positively. Negative thinking about many aspects of your life can create habits that are damaging and lead to depression. Positive thinking helps you to change the above symptoms.

2. 

   Try specific behavioral treatments. Although the CBT also includes a behavioral element, this approach will focus closely on behavior. The goal of behavioral therapy is to get you out there and do what you enjoy. The most common symptoms of depression are avoidance and restraint, and they only make your condition worse.Through behavioral therapy, you are encouraged to participate in activities that are fun and satisfying.
   • You can go back to your favorite past activities or try something you've always wanted to experience. Just go out and create fun experiences for yourself to fight depression.

3. 

   Get personalized interaction therapy. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is also an effective treatment for depression. This method focuses on relationships in life. Do you find it difficult to interact with or connect with others? If so then this is the right method for you. This therapy focuses on nurturing the skills needed to deal with problems in a personal relationship.
   • In this method, you will explore your current relationship and your problems. These problems can have a devastating effect on depression, and they may be the main factors in your feelings.
   • IPT also helps you to recognize traits in relationships, especially those that make depression worse. After you realize this, you can work on improving the relationship.
   • A therapist will teach you how to effectively deal with your sadness and come up with ways to help you get along with others.

4. 

   Exercise of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT - mindfulness-based cognitive therapy). This is therapy to reduce the risk of depression recurrence in patients. This method helps you control your thoughts and emotions. This method is usually done in groups and involves mindfulness meditation. While meditating, you are taught to focus on the present rather than worrying about the past or the future.
   • The goal is to stop your own thoughts and worries, while trying to suppress negative thoughts and feelings.
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Method 3 of 5: Consider medications

1. 

   See a psychologist for an assessment. Before taking medication treatment, you must see a doctor or psychologist who will evaluate your condition and decide on the right medication. During the evaluation, you will be asked to share information regarding:
   • Family medical history
   • My symptoms
   • Have you ever received any treatment
   • Are you pregnant?

2. 

   Be patient during the process of determining the right drug. There are many effective drugs available, but each person's situation is different. It may not work the first time, so you need to be persistent. Many people with depression have to try different medications and doses. Medication must be prescribed by agreement between you and your doctor. Do not take non-prescription medications on your own. This is extremely dangerous.
   • Remember, antidepressants take weeks to work. If you have any questions, you should express your concerns with your doctor.
   • There are many ways to limit the side effects of antidepressants, so talk to your doctor immediately.

3. 

   Consider a combination of therapies and oral medications. A combination of psychotherapy and oral depression is the most effective treatment. Medications will help you feel better but are temporary, they usually don't change your current condition, stress level, environment, personality, etc. This is why doctors and psychologists often recommend taking drugs in parallel with conducting therapy.

4. 

   Understand the side effects of antidepressants. Be aware of the reported side effects of the medications. Each has different side effects. If you take medication and experience the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. Some of the more common side effects of antidepressants:
   • Nausea
   • Headache
   • Concerned
   • Dizziness
   • Weight changes
   • Sweat
   • Dry mouth
   • Have sexual difficulties (eg, difficulty feeling aroused).

5. 

   Understand that the length of time to take the medication is completely dependent on your current condition. The length of time you take the drug depends on the severity of your depression and your reaction to the drug. Although many people only need short-term treatment (about 6 months), others take a long time for the medicine to take effect.
   • Treat depression like any other illness. People with diabetes need insulin injections. Depression is the same, with few physical symptoms.
   • If you feel you want to stop taking the medication, talk to your doctor. Due to the nature of the drugs, you need to stop taking the drug slowly. Because you will feel extremely uncomfortable if you stop the drug suddenly.
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Method 4 of 5: Lifestyle changes to fight depression

1. 

   Exercise regularly. Exercise has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of depression. At the same time, it offers enormous benefits to your overall health. Continuous exercise can improve your mood, boost your energy levels, make you forget about your worries in life, help you fall asleep, and even change brain chemicals. Exercise increases levels of endorphins, serotonin, and control stress hormones, all of which have been linked to depression.
   • Try to exercise a little every day. If you feel depressed, take a walk to clear your mind. Just walking around the podium helps your body produce serotonin, the chemical that makes you feel good.
   • Practice relaxation exercises like yoga and stretching. Yoga is good for both the mind and the body.

2. 

   Healthy eating. When choosing a nutritious menu, you promote a sense of happiness (think about the concept of "you are what you eat"). Try to eat a well-balanced diet that includes the following food groups:
   • fruit
   • Green vegetables
   • Protein is beneficial for health
   • Whole grains
   • Healthy cooking oils that provide omega fatty acids such as olive oil and flaxseed oil

3. 

   Join a support group. Sometimes talking to other people makes a difference. Research shows peer support groups can help reduce symptoms of depression. In a support group, you can interact with someone who knows and understands what you are suffering from. You can connect with others and learn from them.
   • If you enjoy meeting people in person, try your local community center or hospitals. You can talk to your doctor or psychologist about support groups in your area.
   • With the power of the internet, you can find many support groups online.

4. 

   Persistent and optimistic. This is a learning process but you can do it. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but once you take the first step, you should see a significant improvement in your life. Thinking positively can help ease symptoms of depression.
   • Treatments like CBT can help you understand exactly how to change your mind.
   • A therapist can help you plan your treatment, helping you to identify the course of your depression.
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Method 5 of 5: Understanding Different Types of Depression

1. 

   Talk to a therapist or psychiatrist about your depressive disorder. Education, or psychological education about your own form of depression, can help you find the treatment that best suits your current condition. The most common form of clinical depression is major depression. When you have this, you feel sad, hopeless, anxious or tired. You may also have thoughts of suicide, impotence, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of concentration, and physical pain.
   • All the treatments listed in the 3 steps above are designed to deal with clinical depression.

2. 

   Learn about Persistent Depression Disorder. Persistent Depression Disorder (also known as Dysthymia) is a less serious depression than clinical depression that is persistent and has many similar symptoms. However, this depression gets little attention and little or no impact on everyday life, which is why it is often undiagnosed. Common treatments:
   • Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
   • Behavioral therapy.
   • Personal interaction therapy.
   • Cognitive therapy is based on mindfulness.

3. 

   Find out specific treatments for bipolar depression. Bipolar depression is the depressive aspect of the disorder that follows or precedes a manic episode (when people are extremely happy and energetic).
   • People with bipolar depression are often treated with mood stabilizers and antidepressants.
   • CBT, behavioral, and personal interaction therapies are also used to treat bipolar depression.

4. 

   Learn about depression by situation. Situational depression, also known as Modified Depression, can develop when you experience major life changes, such as major upheaval or loss of a loved one. This form of depression will wane over time, but to overcome it you also need to:
   • Cognitive - behavioral therapy
   • Cognitive therapy is based on mindfulness

5. 

   Learn about postpartum depression. After giving birth, mothers may experience postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression are feelings of loneliness, sadness, helplessness, irritability, anxiety, fear of hurting or losing a baby, and fatigue.
   • This depression also diminishes over time, but you can also get cognitive-behavioral therapy, personal interaction therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to prevent and combat depression. after birth.
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Warning

• If you find yourself having suicidal thoughts, see your doctor or a psychologist, or call emergency services (911 - USA or 115 - Vietnam).
• If you experience the side effects of the medication, talk to your doctor immediately to adjust the dosage accordingly.