How to Stop the Cycle of Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is a condition that affects a person both physically and mentally. It causes fatigue, pain, headaches, insomnia or excessive sleeping, disinterest, suicidal or negative thoughts, crying and more. Symptoms of clinical depression vary from person to person, but they interfere with life in some way. Breaking the cycle helps sufferers feel better and get back to life, as usual.

Counseling

• Talk therapy and psychotherapy are two of the leading treatments for clinical depression. They use methods of redirecting thought patterns, understanding the problem and talking about issues to make a patient more able to cope with the symptoms of clinical depression. Therapy can also include going to groups where a therapists oversees meetings. Group therapy is about interacting with other people who have clinical depression and developing a deeper understanding of it.

Exercise

• Exercise is an effective treatment for clinical depression. While it might be difficult for sufferers to initiate exercise, it becomes easier as the depression dissipates. A positive aspect of exercise as treatment is that it can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication and therapy. It is also an effective preventative measure for sufferers who wish to stave off depression in between bouts. The reason for this is that exercise stimulates increased endorphin activity, stimulation of neuroepinephrine, or both.

Medication

• A number of different medications target clinical depression. Antidepressant medications affect neurotransmitters in the brain with the hope of elevating mood, thus providing whatever the brain is lacking in cases of clinical depression. One of these types of medication is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Another is the selective neuroepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Both affect how the brain uses their specified neurotransmitter. There are also monoamine oxidase inhibitors, (MAOs), tricyclics and tetracyclics. The treatment will depend on the patient's tolerance and response.

Life Changes

• A number of lifestyle choices and events can bring on or exacerbate clinical depression. Events such as the death of a loved one, divorce or a car accident can bring on negative thoughts and fuel the illness. Furthermore, substances like alcohol and illicit drugs can make depression worse or even cause it in people who have never experienced it. Try to move forward from trauma with the help of professionals. When it comes to alcohol and drugs, quitting or never starting is best.