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Treatments
[top]
Treatment for depression can involve a variety of
different approaches, and often people find that
a combination of these work best. For more information
about self-help options such as attending a self-help
group, making changes to your diet or relaxation
techniques please contact Depression Alliance to
ask for an information leaflet.
When talking to your doctor about the most appropriate
treatment for you, it’s often useful to have
a basic understanding of the options.
Antidepressants work by normalising the activity
levels of brain chemicals which affect our mood.
Current medical advice is that antidepressants are
not addictive. There are several different types
of antidepressant treatment available. Following
is a general overview:
Tricyclic Antidepressants
(TCAs)
First available in the 1950s, TCAs are still commonly
used to treat depression. They take up to about
two weeks to work. Some tricyclic antidepressants
are also sedatives – so if you feel anxious
and agitated you may be prescribed these. If you
feel tired however then you will probably be prescribed
a non-sedative type. Some patients experience troublesome
side effects with tricyclics.
Selective Serotonin
Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Introduced in the 1980s, SSRIs are the other major
type of antidepressant. They tend to cause less
side effects, and are less sedative than other types.
Many patients find SSRIs easier to take than other
types of antidepressant.
Monamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs)
MAOIs are generally used in patients who have not
responded to other treatments. They are not often
used as a first line treatment due to the special
diet patients are required to follow whilst taking
them.
Reversible Inhibitors
of Monoamine Oxidase (RIMAs)
RIMAs are a similar antidepressant drug treatment
to MAOIs. They are usually prescribed in higher
doses for those patients who have not responded
to other treatments.
There are also a number of other antidepressants
that don’t ‘belong’ to these four
main classes.
Most side effects from antidepressant drugs usually
cease after about three weeks. Please don’t
stop taking the medication or changing your dosage
without talking to your doctor first. Remember,
there are a wide variety of different antidepressant
medications available. Your GP will be able to prescribe
you a different antidepressant if you are experiencing
unpleasant side effects. Finally, remember not to
give up on your medication too soon! It may take
up to six weeks to work properly. Sleeping problems
and feelings of tiredness are usually the first
symptoms to improve, the depressed mood may take
a little longer to lift.
It is important that you talk to your GP before
stopping or changing your medication in any way.
Remember that even when you feel better, your doctor
may ask you to continue taking your medication for
a while – this is just to make sure that the
depression does not return.
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Talking
Treatments [top]
Although medication can help lift your mood, it
does not tackle any underlying problems you may
be experiencing. Psychological therapies can help
to explore what may have contributed to your depression
in the first place, and what might be keeping you
depressed.
There are lots of different psychological therapies.
None have been proven to be ‘better’ than
any other, and so it is more a question of finding
a therapy, and therapist, which suits you. Your
GP may be able to advise you, and also let you know
which therapies are available in your area. All
sorts of therapies are available on the NHS, but
be prepared for waiting lists. If you decide to
choose private therapy, make sure that you select
a registered or accredited therapist.
The most common kinds of psychological therapies
are:
Cognitive Therapy
How you think largely determines how you feel; when
you are depressed, you feel very negative. Cognitive
Therapy works by challenging these negative thought
patterns, and suggesting changes to destructive
behaviour.
Interpersonal therapy
This focuses on your relationships with other people.
It teaches you how to communicate more effectively
and improve your view of yourself.
Psychodynamic Therapy
This helps people to understand past conflicts,
release aggression and reduce feelings of guilt
or inadequacy.
Counselling
The term refers to a wide range of techniques and
approaches, some of which draw from the above therapies.
As a general rule, counselling offers people the
opportunity to talk through issues in their everyday
lives that may be contributing towards their depression,
rather than aiming to treat more deep-rooted problems.
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Other
Treatments [top]
Complementary, or 'alternative' treatments can support
or even is some case replace conventional treatments
for depression. Research on
acupuncture, herbal medicines
(including St John's Wort), and aromatherapy for
example suggests that these treatments can help
to reduce anxiety and to alleviate mild depression.
You should always talk to your GP before opting
for a complementary treatment.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is very occasionally
offered to people with severe depression, usually
if other treatments are found to be either unsuitable
or unhelpful. Ask your GP for more information about
this treatment.3 Things to Remember about Treatments
for Depression
- Treatment for depression
can involve a variety of different approaches;
these could include antidepressant medication,
psychological therapy, or self-help options.
Often people find that a combination of these
work best.
- Antidepressants work by
normalising the activity levels of certain chemicals
in the brain. They are not addictive! To maximise
their effectiveness you should take them exactly
as they are prescribed.
- Psychological therapies
can help you to explore any underlying problems
that may have contributed to your depression.
There are lots of different kinds of therapy,
the most common of which are cognitive therapy,
interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.
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