Different Interventions for Depression

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 8.8 to 21.3 percent of all people in the U.S. will develop depression at some time in their lives. Depression can range from mild to extremely disabling, but the most important key is to get a diagnosis as early as possible so that intervention can be started.

Definition

• The first step toward intervention is to distinguish clinical depression from the typical low moods that everyone goes through. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states that five or more of the following symptoms must be present nearly every day during the same two week period: Depressed mood, significantly diminished interest in activities, weight loss or gain, inability to sleep or too much sleep, agitation or little movement, fatigue, inability to think or concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. It's important to see a qualified mental health professional to rule out physical illnesses that may be causing the symptoms. Once a diagnosis is received, intervention can be prescribed in the form of medication or therapy.

Medication

• The first intervention is often medication so that the chemicals in the brain that affect depression can be brought into balance. Also, while psychotherapy is an important treatment option, people who are severely depressed will not have the energy or the concentration to participate in therapy without antidepressants. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the most frequently used antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Medications in this class include Celexa, Zoloft, and Prozac. They work by making more of the neurotransmitter serotonin available for the brain to use. A second class is called SNRIs, or selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The SSRIs and SNRIs are preferred over older types of antidepressants---MAOIs and tricyclics---because they have fewer side effects. All of the antidepressants need to be taken for several weeks before improvement will be noticed. Everyone's biochemistry is unique so if the first medication prescribed doesn't work, there's a very good chance that another antidepressant will help.

Therapy

• Different types of therapy are available to help people with depression learn to manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches problem-solving skills and helps people learn to identify and challenge negative unrealistic thoughts, consider how they contribute to depression and recognize how those thoughts impact behaviors. A second type of therapy called interpersonal therapy helps by focusing on how to improve or cope with problem relationships that are contributing to depression.

Electroconvulsive Shock

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a bad reputation, but over the years, techniques have improved and it is considered a safe, but last resort, intervention for people whose depression has not responded to other treatment. Patients are given a muscle relaxant and anesthesia so they are not aware of the electrical impulse.

Natural Interventions

• Supplements may help with depression, but talk to your physician to be sure none of them will negatively interact with prescription medications. St. John's Wort and SAM-e are not approved by the FDA as treatments for depression but they are both used in Europe to treat mild depression. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to maintain normal nerve function, so including these in your diet may help. Lifestyle choices also influence moods. Physical activity, meditation or other relaxation techniques, and a balanced diet contribute to maintaining a positive mood.