Depression+and+Treatment

__**//Depression and Treatment //**__


There are many ways to treat depression, though there is no single correct or incorrect treatment. Depression can be treated through medications, communicative therapy, and changes in one’s lifestyle (Laura, n.d.). Depression affects all people differently therefore it is likely that a combination if not all the styles will be used in helping treat each individual.

 When medicating for depression the drugs used fall under a category known simply as ‘anti-depressants’. In short, anti-depressants work to increase the number of neurotransmitters in the brain in hopes to alter the mood of the patient (Laura, n.d.). The targeted neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (Treatments of Depression, n.d.). There are four predominant types of anti-depressants; Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA’s), Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI’s), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI’s) (Saisan, Smith & Segal, n.d.). There is a need for the different drug classes due to the fact that they all affect the brain a little differently. Some may be more effective than others so finding the right one may take time (Laura, n.d.).

 Treatment outside of medication can be just as helpful in aiding an individual maintain happiness. Talk therapy can be a major help in giving the individual someone to talk to who is knowledgeable on the disease. Many skills and tricks can be taught to an individual on how to deal with their depression (Treatments of Depression, n.d.). Behavioral tips such as viewing situations from different and more positive angles can help and individual manage their depression (Laura, n.d.).

 Lastly one of the most important and positive ways to deal with depression is to make lifestyle changes (Laura, n.d.). Getting rid of the excess negatives or just implementing more positives in the individuals life can bring about a major change to their attitude on life. Exercise is said to be one of the greatest ‘feel-good’ activities around. Exercise enables the release of many positive brain chemicals such as Serotonin and other endorphins (Laura, n.d.). Exercise also mimics the job of anti-depressants by triggering growth of neurotransmitters; just 30-60 minutes of aerobic and anaerobic exercise can cause a huge impact (Laura, n.d.). Correct nutrition is also extremely important in maintaining good mental and physical health. The human body is a complex organism and therefore needs to be well fueled and taken care of. Making health conscious choices and eating well-proportioned meals is integral in keeping energy levels constant. Depression or not, sleep is vital in keeping any individual happy. Sleep allows the body to rest and relieve stress, allowing for a happier day ahead. When sleep deprivation occurs depression symptoms can be much worse (Laura, n.d.). Mood swings, irritability, anger, fatigue can all become more prevalent when sleep hasn’t acquired (Laura, n.d.). Lastly, having a great support system of family and friends can help tremendously (Laura, n.d.). Knowing you are loved and wanted is a great feeling, being supported by these people can lift spirits in the worst of times.