Treatment for depression

The treatment of depression is usually done with antidepressant drugs, such as Fluoxetine or Paroxetine, for example, as well as psychotherapy sessions with a psychologist. It is also very important to complement the treatment with alternative and natural therapies, such as leisure activities, walking outdoors, reading or doing meditation, in order to increase well-being and the feeling of pleasure.

Any doctor can guide the treatment for depression, either by SUS or private, however it is recommended that there is a follow-up with the psychiatrist, who is the specialist doctor who can better assess the symptoms and indicate the best alternatives. Therefore, in the presence of signs and symptoms that indicate persistent sadness or lack of pleasure for daily activities, it is very important to talk to the doctor. Check out the main symptoms that may indicate depression.

There is no exact time for the treatment of depression, so some people get better in a few months, while others need to treat it for years, because situations like cause, severity and intensity of symptoms, in addition to the possibility and willingness of the person to follow the treatment correctly have a lot of influence on each case.

When remedies are indicated

Antidepressant remedies, such as Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Paroxetine or Citalopram, for example, are indicated for almost all cases of depression, especially moderate or severe cases. They are important because they help to replace important brain neurotransmitters that are lacking in depression, such as Serotonin and Noradrenaline, which improve mood and well-being.

As there are several types of drugs, the best for each case is indicated by the doctor according to the reactions they can cause. The effect of the remedies appears after about 3 months of its use, which must be every day and preferably at the same time, so that the effect is satisfactory.

The time of treatment can also vary from person to person, varying from about 6 months to several years, since the improvement of depression happens very individually. Understand more about the most used antidepressants and how to take them.

Psychological treatment for depression

Psychotherapy helps to reduce emotional difficulties, stimulating the person's self-knowledge and the resolution of internal conflicts. Only psychotherapy can be sufficient to treat cases of mild depression, but it is also essential, even when it is a severe depression or the person already uses medication, as it helps to reorganize the thoughts, feelings and sensations of joy.

Psychotherapy should be done by a psychologist or psychotherapist, who assesses the best approach to the person's needs. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one of the types of psychotherapy widely used to reduce anxiety attacks or control the compulsive or obsessive behaviors common in OCD.

Other therapies

Although the use of drugs and psychotherapy are the main ways of treating depression, other alternatives that may be indicated are:

1. Natural treatment

Natural treatment for depression helps complement medical treatment, but does not replace it, including:

• Eat foods rich in omega 3: like salmon, tuna, sardines, chia seeds or nuts, as omega 3 acts on the brain, helping to fight depression; Eat foods rich in vitamin B and D: like chicken, turkey or egg, as they help to eliminate physical and mental tiredness; Drink St. John's wort tea or white willow tea throughout the day: they help to calm down, increasing the feeling of well-being; Drinking grape, apple and passion fruit juice: helps to calm, combat physical and mental tiredness and depression. See how to make this juice at: Natural solution for depression.

In addition to these tips, it is important that the patient does regular physical activity such as Pilates, moderate walking or swimming, as exercise also stimulates pleasure and well-being.

2. Alternative treatment

Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, Reiki and meditation are excellent ways to assist in the treatment of depression, as they are able to provide relaxation and well-being and can be useful to combat symptoms of depression.

In addition, leisure activities such as reading, painting, dancing or listening to music are recommended to relieve stress and anxiety.

3. deprexis interactive program

An interactive program that can be accessed on a cell phone, tablet or computer, and which is approved by ANVISA, is also a treatment option against depression. This program consists of a self-analysis of the symptoms presented and works as follows:

• The person signs up and has access, and then questions arise about how they are feeling. In an interactive way, the person responds by choosing an option, and The program responds by offering solutions to everyday problems.

The interactive session in this application lasts approximately 30 minutes, and must be held up to 2 times a week.

To access the information in this program about depression, and to be able to assess your symptoms and participate in treatment, you must buy the program and add your doctor's CRM number.

The Deprexis online program costs approximately R $ 1 thousand and lasts 90 days, but it does not exclude the need to take medication and psychotherapy, but this is a good help to complement the treatment of the depressive state.

4. Electroshock

This type of treatment is only indicated for very severe cases of depression, in which there was no improvement with the other treatments available, and consists of performing brain electroshocks, in a controlled and painless way, which facilitate the reorganization of brain activity.

In addition to electroconvulsive therapy, other modern therapies, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep brain stimulation, are promising ways to treat depression that is difficult to improve. Learn more about how deep brain electrostimulation is done.

Signs of improvement

The signs of improvement in depression appear normally, about 1 month after the start of treatment and include less desire to cry, greater optimism and greater desire to carry out daily activities, for example. However, the patient should not stop taking the medication until the doctor's recommendation, if he feels better, as the treatment should last at least a few months to 1 year or there may even be a worsening of the condition.

Signs of worsening

Signs of worsening depression include an increased desire to cry, sadness and a lack of interest in life, for example, and they appear, usually when the patient stops taking the drugs without the doctor's indication because he already feels better, or also in severe cases where it is necessary to adjust the treatment.

It is important to remember that the desire or planning for suicide are serious signs of depression, and indicate the need for hospitalization for closer medical monitoring. Check for some signs that may indicate suicidal behavior.