The most important treatment for all forms of depression is antidepressant. This is often given in combination with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy or talk therapy alone may only be useful for mild types of depression. Many people find it hard to accept taking a medication to help change the way they think and feel. By accepting that depression is an illness and not the same as normal sadness, we find it easier to think of being on medication that is safe and effective.
The antidepressants can be broadly divided into the old tricyclic antidepressant (TCA’a) and the newer ones such as the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) and the dual action preparations. Talk to your Doctor in detail about these medications and it is essential to determine which one may be suitable for you. All preparations have side effects but most of these side effects disappear after taking them for a while.
Unlike most other illnesses, antidepressant take time to have their effect. In fact, they take up to 4 to 6 weeks before an improvement can be seen. This can be trying as the negative thoughts challenge the patient to believe they will never get well and that this is not an illness.
False Beliefs About Antidepressant
Very often people worry about being addicted to an antidepressant or having to take it for the rest of their life. However, the truth is;
* Antidepressant are not addictive
* Antidepressant do not make you aggressive or dangerous
* Antidepressant do not change your personality
* The duration of antidepressant use is dependent on the number of depressive episodes you may have suffered.
Group therapy is helpful to understand the illness better and learn ways that others have used to get better.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Therapy is known to be the most effective psychological treatment for depression. Cognitive therapy helps to analyze the link between the mind and body. This can then help patients to understand what is happening to them and then to react better in a critical situation. Cognitive therapy focuses on changing negative and destructive thoughts into more positive ones. It also includes problem solving and building self-worth.