Drug-Free Depression Treatment
Medications alone aren’t always effective when it comes to treating depression. As many as one-third get no relief from antidepressants.
Drug-free treatment modalities and lifestyle changes have also been shown to improve the symptoms of depression. Depending on the severity of the depression, any of them could be used instead of/ in addition to medication.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental health issue with people exhibiting a range of symptoms. Physical symptoms such as weight loss, disturbance in sleep, fatigue, aches, and pains can accompany symptoms including sadness, hopelessness, despair, and reduced mental functioning. Depression puts people at a higher risk for a variety of other illnesses, such as anxiety, addiction, and even suicidal thoughts.
People suffering from depression find it difficult to carry on with their daily activities without any hassle and this could also contribute to issues at home and work. Depression is a serious mental health condition that can worsen if not treated properly. Those who seek treatment often notice improvements in their symptoms within a few weeks or months.
Depression symptoms
The symptoms of depression can include:
- Feeling sad
- Loss of interest
- Decrease in sexual desire
- Eating disorder
- Weight gain/loss
- Sleeping disorder
- Feeling irritated
- Fatigue
- Having trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts
Treatments for depression
Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help you improve your quality of life. Discuss with your healthcare provider about possible options. You may be able to manage symptoms with just one type of treatment, or you may discover that a combination of treatments works best.
Medications
Antidepressants may aid in the treatment of moderate to severe depression. Each medication acts on a different or combination of neurotransmitters. A person should only take medications as prescribed by their doctor. Some drugs may take a longer time to bring positive/noticeable results for a patient. Patients often tend to discontinue medication after their symptoms improve, but this can result in a relapse.
Psychotherapy
Speaking with a therapist, family, or group therapy sessions may also be beneficial to improve the symptoms of a depressive disorder.
Light therapy
Light therapy is frequently used in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is now known as the major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns. This therapy is usually done once you are diagnosed with SAD.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
People tend to engage in drinking alcohol or drugs to may make themselves feel better. However, in the long run, substance abuse can worsen depression and anxiety symptoms.
Exercise
Exercise increases endorphin levels and stimulates the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which has been linked to mood. This may aid in managing the symptoms of mild depression.
rTMS
TMS therapy is a well-known treatment for depression without medications. It makes use of magnetic pulses to restore the activities of the brain to normal. It is widely chosen by many patients who do not see any positive impact on their mental health after taking anti-depressants. Since this is non-invasive, TMS is a huge relief for pregnant women and people who are allergic to medications. Book an appointment with TMSForYou to discuss your symptoms with our doctor and also to know if TMS is the right treatment for you.
Take care of yourself
You can also manage some of the depression symptoms by taking care of yourself. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, avoiding negative thoughts, and engaging in enjoyable activities. Self-care is as important as any other treatment you choose.