What is the best cure for severe depression?

Answer 1

Depression can be treated successfully. However, people tend to react differently to the available treatments. For example, one medication may be effective and well tolerated in one person but not another. As well as medication, support groups can help some people deal with major life changes that require new coping skills or social support and psychological treatments are also useful to treat depression.

Choosing the right treatment is an individual process that will depend not only on the severity and the type of depression, but also on the person's circumstances and his or her preferences and the doctor's recommendation.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can be worthwhile for some people with depression. This treatment helps people identify the factors that contribute to their depression. Psychotherapy also provides support to help people deal effectively with the psychological, behavioural, interpersonal and environmental causes of their depression. Certain types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), seem to be particularly useful.

Skilled therapists can help depressed people identify the problems that contribute to the depression, and help them understand which of those problems they may be able to resolve or alleviate. They can point out a number of options for the future and set realistic goals to improve mental and emotional wellbeing. Therapists also help individuals identify how they may have successfully dealt with similar feelings in the past.


Psychotherapy is also intended to help people identify negative or distorted thinking patterns that contribute to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. For example, depressed individuals may tend to over-generalise and think in terms of always or never. They may also take events personally. A therapist can guide a person in developing a more positive outlook on life and in improving the interactions with other people that contribute to their depression.

Therapists also guide people in regaining a sense of control and pleasure in life. Psychotherapy can help people appreciate choices and incorporate enjoyable, fulfilling activities back into their lives.

There is evidence that psychotherapy may reduce the chance of future episodes of depression or reduce their severity. People can also learn skills to arm them better against later episodes of depression whilst being treated with psychotherapy.


Antidepressant drugs

Some people with depression require medical treatment and need medication. The doctor will prescribe antidepressants or antidepressant drugs. When prescribing such medication, the doctor should clearly explain what dose to take and talk about possible side effectsand the way antidepressants could interact with other medication.

Antidepressants can improve mood, sleep, appetite, and concentration. However, it can take from 6 to 12 weeks before real signs of improvement are experienced for some medications. This may dishearten people as they cannot see the promised improvements immediately. It is important to keep on taking your medication or discuss the medication with your doctor.

Even if symptoms start improving or disappear altogether, people often still have to continue taking the medication for six months or longer. This will prevent relapse and will keep the symptoms of depression at bay. Therefore antidepressants are typically taken for several months. In some cases, however, patients and their doctors may decide that a longer course of therapy is necessary. This is especially the case if people suffer from several episodes of depression. Some people may have to stay on medication for the rest of their life to prevent relapse.

There are several types of antidepressants. All antidepressants work by altering the effects of important brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. These are found in nerve cells or neurones. The neurones use the neurotransmitters to communicate with each other. The neurotransmitters that play the most significant part in the treatment of depression are serotonin and noradrenaline.


Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

The older antidepressant drugs or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)) have effects on both serotonin and noradrenaline. These older agents can be difficult to tolerate because of their side effects or, in the case of the MAOIs, dietary and medication restrictions.

If another antidepressant, is prescribed, MAOIs should be stopped some time before starting the new medication, to make sure the MAOI has cleared from the body.

Older antidepressants tend to have more severe side effects than the newer agents used to treat depression.


Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a newer type of antidepressants. They tend to have fewer and less severe side effects than the older drugs. This means that people find it easier to continue taking them.

Other newer antidepressants

Several other newer types of antidepressants are also available. In general, fewer side effects are experienced when taking the newer antidepressant than when taking TCAs and MAOIs. These newer agents include: Venlafaxine and Nefazodone.

Different types of antidepressant medication can be effective to reduce the symptoms of depression, but some people will react better to one type of medication than another. Other people may experience more side effects with one drug than with another. Finding the right medication at the right dose may take some time. However it is important to keep taking your medication and you should never stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor first.

The majority of people with depression improve considerably when they receive appropriate treatment with medication or psychotherapy. On the whole a combination of the two types of treatment or combination therapy seems to be the most effective way of treating depression.


Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)


Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) only tends to be used if no other treatment works or if waiting for a drug to take effect would be impractical (e.g. when a person is very likely to attempt suicide). ECT is considered an effective treatment for people with severe depression, and works quickly in most people.

ECT is a procedure in which a brief application of electricity is used to produce a generalised seizure. It is not known how or why ECT works or what the seizure does to the brain. During the 1940's and 50's, the treatment was administered mostly to people with severe mental illnesses. Today, ECT is generally used in treating patients with severe depression, acute mania, and certain schizophrenic syndromes.


ECT may be beneficial for the following conditions:


severe depression with insomnia (trouble sleeping), weight change, feelings of hopelessness or guilt, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
severe depression that does not respond to antidepressants (medicines used to treat depression) or counselling.
severe depression in patients who can't take antidepressants.
severe mania (too much talking, insomnia, weight loss and impulsive behaviour) that does not respond to medication.

ECT is administered or prescribed as a series of treatments, about three times a week for two to four weeks. Before the treatment, the patient is given a general anaesthetic and a muscle relaxant. Electrodes are then attached to the patient's scalp and an electrical current is applied which causes a brief convulsion. Minutes later, the patient wakes up, with no recollection of the treatment or the events leading up to the treatment. As with other antidepressant treatments, follow-up treatment with drugs or occasional ECT is often required to help prevent relapse.


Depression has to be diagnosed accurately to maximise the benefits of ECT. The risks and possible adverse side effects of ECT should be weighted up against those of alternative treatments.

ECT is still a controversial treatment. Much of this controversy relates to the effectiveness and side effects of the treatment. Because of the concern about permanent memory loss and confusion surrounding ECT, some experts recommend that the treatment only be used as a last resort.

While some studies have demonstrated 80% improvement in severely depressed patients after ECT, other studies indicate that relapse is common, even for patients who take medication after ECT.

Answer 2

Well, that is a bit fish question. There can be many causes of depression. But basically it is emotions by the time you become aware of it. Sometimes emotions are there to tell us we are doing something wrong or right, but sometimes it is a matter of the food we ate. You seriously need to try a vegetarian diet for 3 weeks as a test. Just see what happens. another two powerful tips are these. eat a light dinner and go to bed mostly empty at 9 to 10 for 5 nights and see if this helps your mood. This activity will allow your body to go through a necessary reset hormonally. If you determine that you do have some chemical imbalance or medical depression, there is some good news. It is just emotions and you don't have to follow them. I know that sounds crazy, but think about this. No one, not even the God of the Bible, holds you accountable for your "emotions". Just concentrate on your actions and do what you want to do even if you feel bad. Its like driving an airplane. You can control the speed and direction and altitude, but you can't control the turbulence. (emotions). However, you still need to learn to steer your "plane" through the storm so you can land and find sunny days. fight to ignore the emotions and go forward. In the end, if your situation is that you are doing something you really know you shouldn't be doing, then the answer is to stop doing that activity. Cause and effect. Take away the cause (improper behavior toward others leading to lose of friends, cheating, lying, etc...) and you will take away the effect. For that I recommend the Bible Peace

Answer 3

If you are severly depressed get counseling. If it's really bad, you'll go from seeing a psychologist to seeing a psychiatrist.

I'm not sure if your case is one that's emotional or if it's physical.

In either case, get counselling. It's the best thing anyone who's severly depressed can do.

(By severely depressed I dont' mean you just broke up with a girlfriend, or you lost a loved one. I mean you're overwhelmingly sad and you can't explain why. Clinical depression is different from being depressed because of life issues. In either case, counseling helps.)

Answer 4

Jonah, there is no single best treatment. It varies depending on the person, cause, etc. There are many good medications on the market. Psychotherapy helps alot. Severe depression can also respond to Electro Convulsive Therapy.

Answer 5

You need to seek professional help and let people into your life. Depression is an ugly series (I know!) but its best to get help even though you probably don' t have the energy. But you are moving in the right direction by accepting the fact that you are depressed.

Answer 6

Getting advice/help from a Doctor. Anti-depressants, conative behavioural therapy, talking, good friends, NO alcohol, big hugs, treating yourself once in a while, not dwelling on things you can't change or control, the right amount of sleep, exercise, good diet, prayer, a holiday, favourite music, knowing you aren't the only one who feels this way.

Answer 7

Well there are many cures that your psychiatrist can offer you. If you are at a point where you need professional help then do so. If it is that you are unsatisfied with life or you need something to lift your spirits, try doing something for someone who is less fortunate than you. You can read books to the blind or help in a food kitchen for the homeless. If you look at their problems sometimes it makes yours seem less. Therefore you help others and so you help yourself. Good luck and take care.

Answer 8

i think that the best thing is talk...i go through depression as well, I have a severe one like you and nothing seems to help me more but talk... especiay with someone who understands how you feel...someone who maybe has gone through the same and is better now..
I know what you are going through, this illness is awful.
It would be good if you read some about it to get a better understanding of it.
Here are the websites I recommend:
http://www.stresscenter.com/selftestv1/test.php
http://web4health.info/
http://depression.about.com/od/onlinesupport/a/chatandforum.htm
http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/webmd/
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html

cheer up sweety pie
wish ya best of luck

Answer 9

I like Freaky Girl's answer. She's right about music and such. Those are the best cures and in nicer words than I could say. Me, I'd be like, Don't be so serious all the time. It's crimping your style! :)

Answer 10

For many years I suffered from depression and now feel that I have got it under control. I think some people are more likely to suffer from depression than others and there are all sorts of reasons, sometimes it is partly genetic,inherited, to do with brain chemistry or hormones, sometimes to do with not having a good enough childhood, sometimes there is a run of very difficult events in life. Or a combination!!

I now work as a psychotherapist, and I have found that a combination of different things works best. I recommend that you experiment carefully and find what works best for you.

To start with you might want to talk with your doctor about this. If the depression is very severe and has lasted over a few weeks, and especially if you have had thoughts of suicide or self harm, it is important to have the support of your doctor.

Studies have found that medication, psychotherapy and physical exercise are about equally effective. To help you to feel better as quickly as possible, I would recommend that you join a gym, or at least do a home workout (putting on your favourite music helps with this)

As other answerers have said, it is very very difficult to motivate yourself to do anything, let alone join a gym, when you are depressed, because depression stops you from seeking help for yourself and energy levels, both emotional and physical, can fall very low.

If you have close friends or family you can trust, ask them for support. A hug can be one of the most simple and effective ways to feel comforted. If that is not possible, try to be kind to yourself (again, not easy when you are depressed, but try to, as it will really help) You need all the friends you can get to help you through, and that includes yourself!

There is nothing wrong with taking medication for depression, and your doctor might recommend that you take anti-depressants for about 6 months. depression is an illness and sometimes anti-depressants are the best way to get through an episode of depression. They work better for some people than others, and I'd suggest that if you take medication, you also try exercise (even if it is just walking or dancing to music at home) and that you talk to someone about how you feel.

Try not to take recreational drugs (like weed, E, etc) or alcohol, as that can make you feel more depressed. Herbal remedies such as St John's Wort can be helpful to some people (but read the instructions about St John's Wort)

Talking therapy is helpful for most people as you can offload difficult feelings in a confidential setting. Cognitive Behavioural therapy works by helping you to think more positively. If it is not possible to obtain this (CBT) easily or if there is a waiting list, there are a lot of self help books about depression that might be helpful to read.

Other forms of therapy can be helpful, for some people, psychodynamic counselling or analysis can help. by exploring feelings at a deep level. You would need to find a registered therapist, either through your doctor, or an organisation like the British Association for Counselling (Bacp.co.uk)

You might like to try creative therapies - like writing or painting, through which you can express your feelings.

I hope you will start to feel better soon, but sometimes it can take a while to recover completely. Depression is more common than we think, you are not alone in this and you can get help.Try not to worry, you can get through this. I did!

Wishing you good luck.

Answer 11

Taking Bath, going to massages, listening to slow music

Thats what i do and it kinda helps me but i think the best cure is being next to your loved ones