Customized Therapy Services for Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that causes a persistent poor mood and a loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. This article reviews customized therapy services for depression. Therapy for depression is not one-size-fits-all. There is no set route to follow, reflecting the diverse character of depression: One person's mental illness condition may originate from biological causes different from another's.

Customized therapy services for treating depression

Finding the perfect treatment program is often a process of trial and error. Since severe depression affects individuals in so many different ways, effective therapy is subjective rather than objective.

Fortunately, there are several therapies for depression to select from, including many antidepressant medications (there are currently over 30 types available), various psychotherapy techniques, and even electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Prescription drugs

There are many depression drugs to choose from, but only after consulting with your doctor or therapist. Self-medication for severe depression is discouraged since many drugs have various adverse effects that may be harmful rather than beneficial. The following are some of the medication options available for the treatment of depression:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): The SSRI class of antidepressants is the most commonly prescribed. This class of drugs has fewer adverse effects and acts to minimize serotonin re-absorption, which helps regulate its action on the body. This may help individuals to break out of a state of depression.
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are similar to SSRIs; the difference is that they block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, a naturally occurring neurotransmitter linked to stress.
• Other options include atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Lifestyle changes

Another effective treatment for severe depression is to perform a lifestyle re-evaluation and make positive adjustments that will aid the transition to a more energized lifestyle. Quitting substances like alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine may positively impact a person's general outlook. Recreational drugs may also affect a person's depressed inclinations, which, when combined, can contribute to addiction and dependency.

Other lifestyle adjustments to consider are regular exercise and outdoor time, a well-balanced, nutritious diet, restful sleep, de-stressing and relieving the pressure to succeed, and interacting more with loved ones.

Therapy

Many therapists use a combination of the aforementioned and therapy sessions to treat severe depression. With talk therapy and individual sessions, a person may begin to grasp the origin of their sadness, as well as the reason for their low confidence, mood, and energy level. Speaking with a therapist may be very beneficial in discovering the context necessary to comprehend the reason behind depression and provide assistance for developing the appropriate coping methods for when the low mood hits again.