What a Good Depression Treatment Plan Looks Like

A good depression treatment plan may require you to change the way you exercise, eat, sleep, and take care of your overall health. Find out why.

Major depression is a complex illness, and the most effective depression treatment attacks it from a number of fronts. When you sit down with your doctor to map out a plan, expect a wide-ranging discussion about medication, therapy, your overall health, and even your eating, exercise, and sleep habits.

During your first appointment, you’ll need to schedule enough time for your doctor to review your medical history and diagnosis, says Sanjay Mathew, MD, a psychiatrist and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

A good rapport with your doctor is a must. Research published in 2014 in the journal Health Communication showed that women who feel their doctor listens carefully to them are more likely to stick with their depression treatment. This is especially important because follow-through is essential to recovery.

Elements of a Good Depression Treatment Plan

Because each person is different, each person’s depression is different, and various factors can affect depression, a good treatment plan must encompass a range of treatment options and lifestyle changes. These may include:

• Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, psychodynamic, and interpersonal therapies have been shown to be effective treatment options for major depression. “Most people with depression could benefit from therapy,” Dr. Mathew says. And therapy can take place one-on-one or in a group setting. If you try one type of therapy and it doesn’t work for you, don’t give up. Ask for a referral to a different therapist who might be a better match.
• Antidepressant medications. Don’t assume that you’ll automatically be prescribed medication. “The decision is often a question of severity,” Mathew says. “If depression is severe, medication is likely to be used early. If the problems are more chronic, perhaps milder, but not associated with much disability in daily functioning, then other interventions might be helpful first.”It can take a few weeks for antidepressant medications to ease symptoms, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, so talk to your doctor about follow-up appointments and when to call about lingering depression symptoms or medication side effects.
• Your overall health. Be sure to let your doctor know about any prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take. It’s also important to alert your doctor to any other medical conditions you might have. “Recent lab work should be done ,” Mathew says. “You should be checked for cholesterol level, blood pressure, thyroid function, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate, which can all be related to mood problems.”
• Exercise and diet. Your depression treatment plan will likely include a recommendation to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. According to a review of 37 clinical trials published in the September 2013 issue of the journal Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, regular exercise has been shown to control depression symptoms just as effectively as therapy or medications.Your doctor may also review your eating habits and suggest trying a more Mediterranean-style diet, which has been shown to protect against depression, according to a study in the June 2014 issue of the European Journal of Nutrition.
• Sleep habits. People with sleep problems are more prone to depression, according to research in the May 2014 issue of the journal Experimental Brain Research. This is why Mathew helps people with depression to set a proper sleep and wake schedule. “Try to regulate your sleep routine, even on weekends,” he says.
• Light therapy. If your depression tends to hit or worsen in the winter when there’s less sunlight, your doctor may recommend exposure to full-spectrum light. Your doctor may prescribe a light box, which mimics outdoor light. Research suggests that this kind of light triggers chemicals in the brain that lift mood and ease symptoms of depression.
• Stress management. Managing stress and building more time into your day to relax and unwind may help with depression treatment. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends spending time with friends and family.
• Your safety. When depression is so severe that you aren’t functioning in your daily life or are considering suicide, your safety is paramount. Your doctor might involve you in a contract for your own safety, in which you agree to make contact with someone or take specific steps before harming yourself. A period of inpatient treatment could also be recommended to help stabilize your mood.
• Quitting smoking, illegal drugs, and alcohol. Alcohol and illicit drug use complicates depression treatment. Your doctor can recommend treatment programs to help you cut down on or quit these substances.
• Complementary and alternative therapies. Talk to your doctor about including meditation, massage, acupuncture, or other complementary or alternative treatments in your depression treatment plan. These therapies may help ease stress and other symptoms of depression.

Source : www.everydayhealth.com