Medication
Medications called antidepressants can be used to treat depression. Provide relief from symptoms by correcting certain imbalances in the neurotransmitters in the user's brain. The drugs help the patient to start sleeping and eating normally again and regain energy and pleasure in their life. The effects of the drugs usually take two to three weeks to begin. To minimize relapse, drugs should be prescribed for about four to six months.
Antidepressants are effective in 75% of people with major depression. These drugs do not result in dependency but there are side effects that differ between individuals which will influence which antidepressant to prescribe and in what dose (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
Psychotherapy
Allows clients to work on psychological and social issues associated with their depression. Sometimes results in great changes but it must be understood that it is a long process that depends greatly on the skill of the therapist and the therapeutic alliance between therapist and Client. There are many types of psychotherapy. Two that have proven effective are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
Cognitive Behavoiur Therapy
Goal of this therapy is to change the dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours that accompany depression and develop new thought schemas. The theory behind this therapy is that depression causes people to have distorted thoughts about themselves, others and the world around them. Can be effective for individuals with mild to moderate depression and in preventing relapse (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Symptoms of depressions can be alleviated through working on problems in their interpersonal relationships. Therapists can help individuals deal with their feelings of grief and mourning or adapt to a new role. A therapist can also provide help with interpersonal conflicts by assisting clients with their interpersonal deficits such as a lack of communication skills (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
For individuals who have moderate to severe depression, a better practice is to have a combination of drug therapy which relieves clients symptoms and psychotherapy which helps the client find and implement new approaches to dealing with stress in ones life (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
Medication
Medications called antidepressants can be used to treat depression. Provide relief from symptoms by correcting certain imbalances in the neurotransmitters in the user's brain. The drugs help the patient to start sleeping and eating normally again and regain energy and pleasure in their life. The effects of the drugs usually take two to three weeks to begin. To minimize relapse, drugs should be prescribed for about four to six months.
Antidepressants are effective in 75% of people with major depression. These drugs do not result in dependency but there are side effects that differ between individuals which will influence which antidepressant to prescribe and in what dose (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
Psychotherapy
Allows clients to work on psychological and social issues associated with their depression. Sometimes results in great changes but it must be understood that it is a long process that depends greatly on the skill of the therapist and the therapeutic alliance between therapist and Client. There are many types of psychotherapy. Two that have proven effective are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
Cognitive Behavoiur Therapy
Goal of this therapy is to change the dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours that accompany depression and develop new thought schemas. The theory behind this therapy is that depression causes people to have distorted thoughts about themselves, others and the world around them. Can be effective for individuals with mild to moderate depression and in preventing relapse (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Symptoms of depressions can be alleviated through working on problems in their interpersonal relationships. Therapists can help individuals deal with their feelings of grief and mourning or adapt to a new role. A therapist can also provide help with interpersonal conflicts by assisting clients with their interpersonal deficits such as a lack of communication skills (The Brain from Top to Bottom, 2013).