Sadly enough, over 19 million Americans suffer from a depressive episode every year. Worse is that although excellent help is available, very few seek or utilize such help. This is a well treatable illness yet some chose to ignore or hide it for years before seeking help. Since depression is biological in nature, meaning it has to do with pathology in the neurochemistry of the brain, medication may be a good defense in severe cases.
Medications
Since depression, dysthymia, and bipolar are considered medical disorders they are treated like any other medical condition and one of the first options maybe medications. There are several types of medications that can work on depression and dysthymia and the most common and effective medications are known as SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro and many others. However, there are many others that can work as well; however, each medication may work differently on each person. You must consult with your psychiatrist and keep informing them accurately of your progress until the right medication and dosage is reached. If psychosis is part of the depression, additional medications may be prescribed such as Seroquil, Resperidol and others.
As for bipolar disorder, the medication approach maybe a little different than depression due to the different types of bipolar and the types of cycles the person experiences and whether it is with psychosis or not. Some of the most well known medications for bipolar also known as mood stabilizers such as Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal, and Topamax. However, as mentioned earlier, this is a complex disorder and requires expert consultations, so please talk with your psychiatric and discuss the many options he/she may offer.
Side Effects – One of the biggest problems is resisting medical treatment due to side effects which are common symptoms of most psychotropic medications. However, most of the side effects that are experienced when taking some of the medications are short lived and temporary. The body eventually gets used to and adjusts to it. You must give it time because sometimes you may experience the side effects before you begin to feel the benefits of the medication prescribed. It always best to consult with your psychiatrist and advise them of any symptoms regardless. In extreme cases other medications maybe tried and at other times other medications are prescribed to alleviate some of the side effects. Quitting medications without consulting or informing a professional may cause you decompensation or relapse and in some cases may cause you severe harm. Some medications such as SSRIs may take 4-6 weeks before you begin to feel relief from the depressive symptoms. Therefore, it's imperative to continue taking these medications for at least that period or more and if troubled with the side effects, please inform your psychiatrist before deciding to quit.
Psychotherapy
The second line of defense is psychotherapy. Research and patient testimony have revealed the power of psychotherapy in treating a myriad of mental illness such as depression. There are several types of psychotherapy that can treat mental illness effectively, however, the most studied and proven to work according to research is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy "CBT' (also my favorite). CBT approaches mental illness by helping the client to address the cognitive part of their brain in identifying dysfunctional and distorted thoughts (beliefs) and replacing them with healthy and constructive ones. In addition, it also helps by identifying and modifying maladaptive (dysfunctional) behaviors. Beliefs and behaviors play a major role on regulating and modulating our feelings. Once these beliefs and thoughts are changed and modified, the client will begin to feel better and life begins to be perceived with a more positive outlook which will help in coping with its stressors and unexpected events.
Of course there are several types of psychotherapies such as Psychodynamic Therapy, Art Therapy, Rogerian Therapy, Narrative Therapy and many many more. If you are interested in finding more information about the latter types, information is mostly and commonly available via the internet, public libraries, bookstores, or you may ask you current psychotherapist.
Medications
Since depression, dysthymia, and bipolar are considered medical disorders they are treated like any other medical condition and one of the first options maybe medications. There are several types of medications that can work on depression and dysthymia and the most common and effective medications are known as SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro and many others. However, there are many others that can work as well; however, each medication may work differently on each person. You must consult with your psychiatrist and keep informing them accurately of your progress until the right medication and dosage is reached. If psychosis is part of the depression, additional medications may be prescribed such as Seroquil, Resperidol and others.
As for bipolar disorder, the medication approach maybe a little different than depression due to the different types of bipolar and the types of cycles the person experiences and whether it is with psychosis or not. Some of the most well known medications for bipolar also known as mood stabilizers such as Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal, and Topamax. However, as mentioned earlier, this is a complex disorder and requires expert consultations, so please talk with your psychiatric and discuss the many options he/she may offer.
Side Effects – One of the biggest problems is resisting medical treatment due to side effects which are common symptoms of most psychotropic medications. However, most of the side effects that are experienced when taking some of the medications are short lived and temporary. The body eventually gets used to and adjusts to it. You must give it time because sometimes you may experience the side effects before you begin to feel the benefits of the medication prescribed. It always best to consult with your psychiatrist and advise them of any symptoms regardless. In extreme cases other medications maybe tried and at other times other medications are prescribed to alleviate some of the side effects. Quitting medications without consulting or informing a professional may cause you decompensation or relapse and in some cases may cause you severe harm. Some medications such as SSRIs may take 4-6 weeks before you begin to feel relief from the depressive symptoms. Therefore, it's imperative to continue taking these medications for at least that period or more and if troubled with the side effects, please inform your psychiatrist before deciding to quit.
Psychotherapy
The second line of defense is psychotherapy. Research and patient testimony have revealed the power of psychotherapy in treating a myriad of mental illness such as depression. There are several types of psychotherapy that can treat mental illness effectively, however, the most studied and proven to work according to research is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy "CBT' (also my favorite). CBT approaches mental illness by helping the client to address the cognitive part of their brain in identifying dysfunctional and distorted thoughts (beliefs) and replacing them with healthy and constructive ones. In addition, it also helps by identifying and modifying maladaptive (dysfunctional) behaviors. Beliefs and behaviors play a major role on regulating and modulating our feelings. Once these beliefs and thoughts are changed and modified, the client will begin to feel better and life begins to be perceived with a more positive outlook which will help in coping with its stressors and unexpected events.
Of course there are several types of psychotherapies such as Psychodynamic Therapy, Art Therapy, Rogerian Therapy, Narrative Therapy and many many more. If you are interested in finding more information about the latter types, information is mostly and commonly available via the internet, public libraries, bookstores, or you may ask you current psychotherapist.
SAD
CliniC
Stress, Anxiety, & Depression CliniC
Mind Over Matter: If you DO Mind, it Will Matter
Treatment of
Depression
West Los Angeles
