Major depression can truly be devastating, and even life threatening. There have been numerous studies done to look at what works and what doesn’t when it comes to restoring vitality and hope.
Here’s a look at some facts about the treatment of depression. Take care as you interpret these facts, because research continues in these areas.
Types of Treatments
TMS treatment, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and medication are all equally effective when it comes to the treatment of depression. Medication can help some people as much as CBT and TMS.
There’s quite a strong placebo effect when it comes to the treatment of depression. In a clinical trial, the typical person does nearly as well with placebo treatments as on the actual medication.
Treatment Combinations
Chronic depression and cases that are more severe tend to respond better to a combination of therapy and medication. For example, TMS and medication together are more effective than simply the meds by themselves. Also, medication has an additional benefit for people receiving TMS. For non-chronic or mild depression, when it comes to a combination of treatments or a single one, the single treatment tends to work just as well while avoiding the additional side effects, cost, effort, and time.
Depression and Kids
Maltreatment for kids is linked to depression that’s recurrent as well as it being less responsive to treatments. Maltreatment might include things like violence, neglect, or abuse in the family. There needs to be more research done in order to understand exactly how these experiences actually affect the course the depression takes.
Adding medication to CBT for adolescents struggling with depression doesn’t add much benefit. That being said, treatments that are combined tend to relieve actual impairment from the condition more than simply medication.
Additionally, adding some medication to the psychotherapy for children and adolescents struggling with depression doesn’t seem to improve the outcome. Although, there isn’t much evidence for these conclusions to be based on with regard to the relative effectiveness of antidepressant medication, psychological interventions, and a combination of the two.
Other Therapy
When it comes to talk therapy that’s helpful when dealing with depression, CBT isn’t the only game in town. There’s also Psychodynamic therapy that’s largely based on the Freudian concept of the mind. This has been given a bad rap now that we’re in the era of treatment that is based on evidence. That being said, there’s more and more evidence that this type of therapy on a short-term basis can be helpful, along with another, more general type of treatment known as nondirective supportive therapy.
Interpersonal therapy is also a very effective treatment when it comes to depression. Our well-being is affected by our relationships, be it worse or better. Changes that are positive when it comes to how we relate to others can actually lead to a massive boost in our mood while also helping to prevent relapse.
The bottom line is that there are a lot of ways to treat depression. Some will work for some people but not for others. The main thing is that if you are feeling depressed and having trouble dealing with it, you need to seek help before it begins to damage your life.
