How do you treat depression?

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Depression can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes, therapy, medication, and support. Lifestyle changes such as regular sleep, a healthy diet, exercise, and reducing the use of caffeine, alcohol, or drugs can be helpful. Therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, can be effective in changing behaviors and gaining confidence. Support from family, friends, professionals, or support groups can help to feel less alone and more connected. Medications called antidepressants can also be taken, and different types have varying effects and side effects. Device-based treatments like Electroconvulsive therapy, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, can also be used when medication treatments don't work. It may take some time to discover the most effective treatment combination, but it is worth it.

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For most people, some combination of lifestyle changes, therapy, medication, and support is helpful for treating depression. Some of these are more effective than others for certain people. It may take some time to discover what works for you, but it is worth it.

Lifestyle changes

Many habits can impact your mental health. Making sure you get regular sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly can help a lot. Some people benefit from reducing or eliminating the use of caffeine, alcohol, or drugs. Meditation, yoga, and spiritual practices can be helpful as well. Pay attention to simple things, like taking time to take care of yourself, trying activities you enjoy, and spending time with people or environments where you feel supported.

Therapy

Therapy can be a great way to change behaviors, gain confidence, learn new skills, and talk with someone openly and honestly. There are many different types of therapy. Most therapists use multiple techniques, depending on the needs of the person they’re working with. The most common type of therapy for depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In CBT, a therapist helps you examine your thoughts and beliefs and how these influence your behavior.

Support

It’s important to find support from others. This can come through family, friends, professionals, or support groups. Support groups are made up of individuals with similar experiences, who meet regularly to discuss their experiences. Talking to people who are going through the same things can make you feel less alone and more connected. It also creates a space where people can share what has worked for them and talk through their struggles with people who understand.

Medication

Another option is to take medications. Medications that treat depression are called antidepressants, and there are many different kinds. Medications affect everyone differently, so not every medication will work well for you, and many of them will have side effects. You’ll need to work with your doctor to find a medication that works for you. It’s also common to take multiple medications, to target different symptoms or to counteract side effects.

Device-based treatments

When medication treatments don’t work, people can explore the use of device-based treatments for depression. These treatments include Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Some of these procedures are done in a hospital under the care of a doctor.