Best Therapies for Depression: A Comprehensive Look at Natural Treatments and Cures
Did you know that around 21 million adults suffer from depression?
A few years back, depression was a rare word to be heard. But in today’s world, it has become a common word. Most of the youth are suffering from depression that leads to harm to cognitive health. However, some studies have suggested that there are natural cures for depression through which you can reduce the risk of depression. However, some of the exercises, therapies, and herbal supplements also turn out to help improve mental health. Today, in this blog, we will learn more about the best therapies for treating depression.
Types of Depression & its Treatments
1) Clinical Depression
Depressive disorder means you've been sad, low, or worthless most days for at least two weeks while having other symptoms like loss of interest in activities or change in appetite. It is the worst form of depression and is one of the most common forms.
2) Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder is a moderate depression that lasts for at least two years. However, these symptoms are worse than those of major depressive disorder.
3) Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
DMDD Causes frequent anger outbursts and intense irritability. Moreover, these symptoms usually begin at an early age. However, they can be treated through therapy sessions.
4) Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual Syndrome is common in women these days. These symptoms with mood symptoms like anxiety and extreme irritability are some of the causes of Premenstrual syndrome.
5) Depressive Disorder Due to Medical Conditions
Many medical conditions will create changes in your body that cause depression. If you can treat the underlying condition, then the depression usually improves as well. Furthermore, there are some specific forms of major depressive disorder which include:
6) Prenatal depression
Prenatal depression occurs in mothers during pregnancy. This kind of depression is formed within four weeks of delivering the baby.
7) Atypical Depression
Atypical depression, also known as a major depressive disorder, varies slightly from typical depression. However, some of the key symptoms include enhanced appetite.
How to treat depression
1) Find the right treatment.
It may take trial and error to find the support and treatment to cure depression. Moreover, one can try antidepressants to discover that you don’t have it if you consume a daily half-hour walk. You can also be open to change with little experimentation. You don’t have to rely on the medications alone when you can make healthy lifestyle changes, too.
2) Don’t rely on medications alone.
Medication will relieve the symptoms of depression, but it is not usually suitable for long-term use. Other treatments, which include therapy and exercise, will be just as effective as medication.
3) Take Some Social Support
The more you make social connections, the more protected you are from depression. Therefore, asking for help is not a sign of weakness. You can speak your heart out with your friend, family, or therapist if you feel like talking.
4) Treatment takes commitment and time.
These depression treatments take time, but sometimes, it may feel frustratingly slow or overwhelming, which is normal.
What are the Natural Best Therapies for Treating Depression?
1) Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive Therapy is the idea that our thoughts can affect our emotions, and if we choose to look at the silver lining in every experience, then we will feel lighter if we choose to see positivity in every experience. However, negative thoughts will contribute to and exacerbate depression, and feeling good is hard when you think about all those thoughts that are hurting you. This is usually goal-focused and short term, and they are structured with a particular plan for every session, and this kind of therapy lasts between four to six weeks.
2) Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive therapy is more focused on the negative thoughts that contribute to depression. Behavior therapy is centered on changing behaviors that affect emotions. Moreover, a central focus of behavioral treatment for depression is behavioral activation. At the same time, cognitive therapy is focused on the negative thoughts that contribute to depression.
3) Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive therapy works well together to cure depression and anxiety disorders. The two are often combined in an approach known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Moreover, it focuses on addressing both the negative thought patterns and the behaviors that contribute to depression. Your therapist will ask you to keep a journal to track the events of the week and any self-defeating and negative reactions to those events. Habitual negative responses to the events are just one pattern of thinking you may address throughout CBT. However, this type of psychotherapy also incorporates mindfulness practices from Buddhist traditions to inform crisis coaching.
4) Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is well known as psychoanalytic therapy, which assumes that depression can happen because of unresolved problems that often originate from childhood.
Psychotherapy: The best treatment to cure depression
Psychotherapy is a method of treating psychological disorders with psychological techniques and verbal techniques. Most types of psychotherapy foster a relationship between therapist and client to help the individuals identify and overcome negative thoughts or behavioral patterns. Moreover, it is also known as talk therapy which involves an individual and a psychotherapist sitting in the room together talking, and it is much more than that. Psychotherapists also have formal training in a variety of techniques that they employ to help people recover from mental illness and create positive changes in their lives.
When therapy becomes difficult
Just like remodeling a house, when you have to take apart things that haven't worked well in your life, it often makes them feel worse before they get better. When therapy seems painful, and you feel like quitting, don’t quit; you can fight back with your thoughts, and it will help you move forward rather than retreat to your old and less effective ways. Furthermore, if the connection with your therapist consistently begins to feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to explore other options for the therapy as well.
Wrapping It up
From the intensity of emotional pain and despair, depression lasts longer. That being said, there are several ways to treat depression, and some of the most effective, especially in the cases of mild to moderate disorder, do not need any prescription or medical type intervention of any kind. The irony of depression is that it saps out mental energy, which makes people feel uninterested in or incapable of doing anything, creating a state of avoidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do exercises help in treating depression?
Any exercise that activates and promotes a sense of physical activity helps in treating depression. This includes all types of exercises. When these exercises raise core body temperature, that, in turn, creates feelings of relaxation and tension relief. However, exercise also promotes the release of endorphins, neurochemicals that have a direct mood-boosting effect.
Q2. What are the most effective therapies for curing depression?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy are widely recognized as effective approaches. Moreover, when medication is combined with therapy, it is beneficial for many individuals.
Q3. How do Cognitive Behavioral therapy help with depression?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps in identifying the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression. It equips individuals with coping tactics to manage the symptoms effectively.
Q4. Are there any alternative therapies for depression?
Yes, alternative therapies like music therapy, art therapy, and yoga have shown benefits for some people.
Q5. Can therapy work without medication?
Yes, many people experience significant improvement with therapy alone. However, for severe depression, a combination of therapy and medication may be more effective.
