NHS Tips on Beating Depression

The National Health Service is the United Kingdom's premier health organization. Providing information on matters of public health and safety, providing access to health care and treatment, and facilitating the use of social services are some of the assistance the organization offers.

Therapy

• According to a study by The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity cited on MentalHealth.org.uk, about 8 percent to 12 percent of the British population experiences depression.

  Because the illness has varying levels of severity (mild, moderate, severe) and varying lengths (acute and chronic), treatment depends on the type of depression experienced. Therapy is recommended by the NHS for all people experiencing depression.

  To make sure that your symptoms (feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness and despair that last longer than two weeks) are related only to depression, you first should visit a general practitioner for an accurate diagnosis. Your diagnosis will tell you the type of depression you have, and therapy will follow from there.

  If you are experiencing mild depression, a general practitioner might suggest relying on support groups and talking to friends, family or a spiritual adviser. Self-help books and exercise also might lift your spirits.

  If you are experiencing moderate depression, a general practitioner might recommend that you begin interpersonal therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy.

  Interpersonal therapy focuses on discussing your relationships and coping skills and teaching you to make healthier choices, and cognitive behavioral therapy looks at reframing negative thoughts and changing behaviors that contribute to depression.

Medication

• The National Health Service website also recommends medication for people experiencing moderate and severe depression, especially if "talk therapy" alone has not improved your condition.

  There are a variety of medications available to treat depression. A physician most likely will recommend you to a psychiatrist who will evaluate you and your symptoms and determine a course of medication.

  Most antidepressant medications work by increasing or decreasing the brain's neurotransmitters, the chemicals that are absorbed by brain cells and influence mood and feelings of well-being.

  Some popular medications prescribed for depression include Lexapro, Prozac, Effexor, Celexa, Xanax, and Zoloft. Be sure to discuss with your psychiatrist the side effects of your medication, as many antidepressants, although effective, also have side effects that might be intense during the first few days you begin taking them.

Other Treatments

• Additional treatments that the National Health Service recommends are: ECT, St. John's wort and lithium. ECT stands for Electro-Convulsive Therapy and is a treatment in which you are given muscle relaxants and anesthetics followed by a series of mild electric shocks. The shocks help "restart" the brain and have been found to be effective for people with chronic severe depression, especially when other treatments have proved ineffective.

  St. John's wort is an herb often taken in pill form to treat mild depression. St. John's wort can be purchased without a prescription, but you should talk with a general practitioner and mental health professional before taking the supplement. You also should not take St. John's wort if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  Lithium is a medical treatment that has been effective for people who have severe depression not remedied by traditional antidepressants. Lithium is a salt-based compound, so you would need to carefully and closely monitor your sodium intake while on the drug. If you're prescribed lithium, make sure you understand the after-care procedures given to you by your doctor or mental health professional, as the chemical can become toxic in your system and cause additional health problems.