Depression is a mental disorder experienced by approximately 125 million people throughout the world and these numbers are on the rise. This is why many sufferers look for different avenues for treating depression in order to relieve troubling symptoms and live a more fulfilling life.
Causes of Depression
Unfortunately, although depression is a highly common condition, medical experts have no definitive answers as to its root cause. However, they have formulated several theories, the most widely accepted being a chemical imbalance of brain neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitter theory is why most experts prescribe medications for treating depression, which make up of half of the treatment process – the other being psychotherapy.
Medication Used for Treating Depression
There are several types of medication commonly prescribed for treating depression. One class of these medications is SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which is highly popular and has been used for 20 plus years. There are a few reasons that make SSRIs the first medicine choice doctors jump to for treating depression. First, Serotonin Inhibitors have very little side effects when compared to other types of antidepressant medication therefore, there is a decreased risk of overdose. Also, this type of medication will raise the amount of serotonin in the patient’s brain. Prozac, the most common, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Luvox, and Lexapro are all usual kinds of SSRI medication prescribed by doctors and psychiatrists. However, those who choose to take one of these as part of their overall plan for treating depression must work in cooperation with their physician as these medications do have the tendency to bring about thoughts of suicide.
Non-Medication Methods for Treating Depression
There are other ways physicians choose for treating depression in patients that usually go along with a medication regimine. The first choice doctors prefer for depression patients is psychotherapy. During psychotherapy treatments, the patient will meet with their doctor in order to pinpoint the root cause of their depression and learn healthy coping mechanisms. The results of successful psychotherapy will last for a long period of time. However, it can take an upwards of 2 months before the patient begins to see a positive change, depending on how well they relate and how much they trust their psychotherapist. If after 2 months the doctor and patient are not seeing the hoped for results, the doctor will try other methods of treating depression.
Alternative Methods for Treating Depression
Although traditional methods for treating depression many times work well, some patients wish to look for more alternative sources, like herbal remedies. Herbal remedies, despite being unconventional, do seem to have their advantages. The biggest benefit of using herbal remedies is the lack of chemical side effects. When seeking herbal remedies for treating depression, many people gravitate towards St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort is a powerful herbal remedy that is found to be not only effective, but also safe for sufferers of depression. This remedy can either be taken on its own or in conjunction with psychotherapy in order to enjoy a maximum benefit.