Treating Depression : Acupuncture

If you are suffering from depression then acupuncture can serve as a perfect remedy. Acupuncture is one of the safest and natural methods which balance the operation of mind and body to work in controlled manner. This treatment has cured a lot of patients in all around the world. This is done by inserting very fine needles into the human body to reduce all types of body pains and diseases. Acupuncture basically improves blood circulation which led to cure of symptoms of insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Acupuncture helps to enhance concentration, enrich sleep and have e positive feelings about life. Acupuncture can be manual acupuncture or electro-acupuncture. In former, massaging is with hands around the places where needles are inserted whereas in electro-acupuncture electrified needles are inserting in your skin.

Benefits of Acupuncture over medication
• Give results much faster than medication.
• No side-effects
• No addiction.
• Give long lasting relief after completing the Acupuncture for Depression Protocol.
• Cost saving in the long run.
• Better mood
• Healthy appetite

Treating Depression-VNS Therapy

VNS Therapy is a non-drug treatment which can be opted for the treatment of depression. This is one of the safest treatments. VNS Therapy can be used for long term treatment. Vagus nerve stimulation is one of several newer types of brain stimulation methods .Vagus nerve stimulation is based on intermittent stimulation which is done with a device called as pulse generator. This device is implanted in the chest with a small surgery. This pulse generator is used to send electric signals to the brain of the patient. This passage of electric signal is done through a nerve in between known as vagus. Because of vagus nerve this treatment is known as vague nerve therapy. The duration of this treatment is about 50 to 90 minutes with the patient under general anesthesia.

The treatment can have some side effects such as

• Harshness

• cough

• Throat pain

• paraesthesia

• Indigestion

• vomiting

Treating Depression :Medication

Medication is one of the primary treatments to approach in treating depression. They are prescription-only drugs that come with risks as well as benefits. Self-medication can be dangerous. There are several types of depression medications (antidepressants) used for the cure of depression. The prescription and management of medication must be done by a skilled physician who can have a close look at the patient .In patients with severe depression antidepressants are more effective than any other treatment. Antidepressants help people with depression by making some natural chemicals more available to the brain. In this way they help in restoring the brain's chemical balance which helps in recovery from symptoms of depression. In order to avoid antidepressant withdrawal symptoms, never stop your medication but you can gradually reduce your dose. The duration of taking antidepressant are decided by the doctor under whose inspection the patient is. Generally the duration is about 4 to 6 months.

Things to look if you are starting medication
• Consult a psychiatrist only as family physician does not provide much help.
• Find the right drug that actually works for you.
• Have a close look at the side effects
• Don’t stop medication without talking to your doctor
• Go to therapy along which the medication.

Treating Depression : Psychotherapy

First treatment that is offered to a depressed person is Psychotherapy. This treatment is often called with a name therapy. There are a number of Psychotherapy based on type and condition of the depression. Psychotherapy is not normally used to treat severe depression patient. Psychotherapy therapy works by assuming that the patient is depressed due to unresolved issues that they are unaware of. For best result of Psychotherapy treatment the patient should attend all the counseling properly. In psychotherapy, first thing is to identify the root cause of depression. Psychotherapy can give results which can give longer-lasting benefits. It also helps you to follow your medications properly.

What you can gain from Psychotherapy

• It can help reduce stress in your life.

• It can give you a new perspective on problems with family, friends and co-workers.

• It can make it easier to stick to your treatment.

•It helps to regain a sense of control and pleasure in life

•It helps to learn various coping techniques and problem-solving skills

Treating depression - Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) has got higher rate curing depression than any other treatment of depression. This treatment is successful in treating major depression, mania and other forms of depression. In ECT, an electrical shock is given to maintain proper functioning in the brain. We can improve the person’s mood with these stock and brain cell will work better. In the beginning this treatment was opposed for depression as it is used for treatment for mental patients.

How this treatment is done
For this treatment person can be admitted to hospital or he can come to hospital only for treatment and can go back home after treatment. These electric shocks are given 3 to 4 times a week. The treatment should only be taken under guidance of professional psychiatrist. Before this treatment the patient should to put to sleep with drug and an additional drug is also given to relax and partially paralyze the muscles. These things help to avoid injury during the treatment. The patient is closely monitored during the treatment .The patient wakes up after 20 minutes of the treatment. Some patient might require medication after treatment. A total of 12 to 15 shock sessions are prescribed for treatment.

About Dysthymia depression

Dysthymia depression is less severe form of depression. It is also termed as minor depression. The person with this depression can work properly but usually seems to be unhappy. It is not as extreme as other types of depression. It can be said that person with dysthymisa are functional but lack in social and interpersonal relationships. It affects women two to three times more often than menthe per son is given diagnosis if he is depressed for about 2 years. Sufferers of Dysthymic disorder often report that they don't recall ever not feeling depressed .People who develop dysthymia when they are young often do not realize that they are ill until this depression develops into a major depression.

Symptoms

• Feelings of hopelessness

• Insomnia or hypersomnia

• Feelings of guilt

• Low energy

• Low self-esteem

• Loss of appetite or overeating

• Lack of concentration

• Irritability or anger

Basic Treatment include

• Talk therapies and interpersonal therapy

• Medication

• ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy)

• Depression self-help