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Hospitalization
The primary and most significant choice
the therapist must make is whether to hospitalize an
individual with major depression, or to try outpatient
treatment. Obvious signs for hospitalization are: (1) risk
of suicide or homicide, (2) grossly reduced capability to
care for food, shelter, and clothing, and (3) the
requirement for medical diagnostic procedures. An individual
with slight to moderate depression may be safely treated in
the office if the therapist assesses the individual often.
The individual's support system should be strengthened and
involved in treatment whenever possible.
Antidepressants
Research has show that antidepressant
therapy for major depression can considerably reduce suicide
and hospitalization rates. Regrettably, very few suicide
victims receive antidepressants in sufficient doses, and -
even worse - most are not given treatment for depression
whatsoever.
One of the main problems with
antidepressant therapy is that most individuals don't stay
on their antidepressant medication long enough for it to be
effective. Antidepressant therapy typically takes 2-4 weeks
before any significant improvement appears (and 2-6 months
before maximal improvement appears).
Psychotherapy
Generally, psychiatrists concur that
severely depressed individuals do best with a mixture of
antidepressant medications and psychotherapy. Medications
ease the symptoms of depression promptly, while
psychotherapy can help the individual deal with the
disorder, reducing some of the probable stresses that can
activate or exacerbate the illness.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy is based on the
theory that disturbed social and personal relationships can
cause or trigger depression. The illness, in turn, may make
these relationships more problematic. IPT helps the patient
understand his or her illness and how depression and
interpersonal issues are related.
Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy involves activity
scheduling, self-control therapy, social skills training,
and problem solving. Behavior therapy has been reported to
be effective in the acute treatment of patients with mild to
moderately severe depressions, especially when combined with
pharmacotherapy.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
The cognitive approach to psychotherapy
maintains that irrational beliefs and distorted attitudes
toward the self, the environment and the future, perpetuate
depressive affects and that these may be reversed through
CBT.
There is some evidence that cognitive
therapy reduces depressive symptoms during the acute phase
of less severe forms of depression.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is principally used for severely
depressed individuals that have not responded to
antidepressant medications, and that often have psychotic
features, acute suicidality, or food refusal. It can also be
used for individuals that are severely depressed and possess
other chronic general medical illnesses which make taking
antipsychotic medications difficult. Changes in the way ECT
is delivered have made ECT a better-tolerated treatment.
Major Depression Treatment
If you or someone you know would like to
talk with one of our trained staff to discuss treatment
options for Major Depression treatment please contact us 24
hours a day, 7 days a week at our t oll free number:
1-866-874-9774. You will receive a free consultation. |
