Treatment For Depression Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Treatment For Depression?
Depression is a serious medical condition that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of disability today. Treatment for depression can include both medication and psychotherapy. While medications can help reduce some of the symptoms associated with depression, psychotherapy has been found to be extremely effective in treating the condition and improving quality of life.Medication is usually prescribed by a psychiatrist or primary care physician and can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and even some herbal treatments. SSRIs are among the most common types of medications used to treat depression as they work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain which helps relieve symptoms such as sadness or low energy levels. TCAs are older forms of antidepressant medications that work through blocking neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed so they remain active in the brain longer and help regulate mood. MAOIs block an enzyme responsible for breaking down certain neurotransmitters allowing them to remain active longer, helping regulate moods more effectively than other drugs. Atypical antipsychotics are newer drugs used to treat severe cases of depression that do not respond well to other drug therapies while mood stabilizers help control manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder which can co-occur with depression. There are also some herbal therapies available such as St John’s Wort which has been studied for its potential ability to reduce depressive symptoms but it is important to consult with a doctor before taking any supplements or herbs as they may have dangerous interactions with other drugs or existing medical conditions. In addition to medication, psychotherapy has also been found to be highly effective in treating depression especially when combined with medication therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one type of psychotherapy commonly used that focuses on changing negative thought patterns associated with depression into more positive ones by challenging distorted ways of thinking about oneself and situations around them while also teaching new skills such as problem solving techniques that can be used when dealing with difficult life situations instead of resorting back into old habits like rumination or self-blame.