What to do to cure depression: 5 proven strategies

Treatment for depression is focused on improving symptoms and quality of life and reducing the risk of suicide. Although the causes of depression are not yet fully understood, there are several alternatives to treat this disorder, such as medication, psychotherapy and alternative therapy.

Therefore, to treat depression, the psychologist and psychiatrist can choose one or more techniques, which can be carried out together or separately, however the type of treatment, time and doses of medication can vary from one person to another. .

In milder cases, medical treatment is not normally necessary and can only be done with psychotherapy. On the other hand, in more severe cases, the person may need hospitalization and medical observation until symptoms improve.

1. Use of medicines

Medications for depression are called antidepressants and are used to replace neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which are normally decreased in depression. The use of medication is indicated mainly in moderate and severe cases.

The main antidepressants used to treat depression are:

The medicines start to take effect in around 2 to 6 weeks, and the treatment time can also vary from person to person, being, in some cases, necessary for only a short period, such as 6 months, or may also be necessary for many years. What will help the doctor determine the treatment time, dose and type of medicine is the improvement of symptoms and how the person is reacting to the treatment.

Furthermore, the use of medication alone may not be enough to cure depression, and it is important that the person works on their psychological side, through conversations, psychotherapy sessions and activities that stimulate self-knowledge, for example.

2. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is carried out by a psychotherapist and is important to help resolve emotional difficulties, stimulating self-knowledge and the resolution of the person’s internal conflicts.

This therapy is fundamental and is recommended even when the person is already using medication, as it helps to reorganize thoughts and stimulate feelings and sensations of joy. Some of the techniques used are cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness.

3. Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy consists of controlled and painless brain electroshock procedures that facilitate the reorganization of brain activity. It is a type of treatment carried out for cases of severe depression, in which there has been no improvement with other available treatments.

4. New therapies

There are newer therapies that have shown good results for treating depression in people who do not improve with other forms of treatment. These include transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation.

These are ways of stimulating and reorganizing brain activity, through the implantation of small stimulating electrodes, capable of also treating various neurological diseases, such as depression, epilepsy or Parkinson’s, for example.

5. Alternative therapies

There are more natural ways that are great allies to complement the treatment of depression, but they should not replace treatment guided by a doctor. Among them are:

• Acupuncture: can alleviate several symptoms associated with this disease, such as pain, anxiety and insomnia;
• Meditation: provides self-knowledge and control of feelings, which can improve confidence and self-esteem;
• Physical activity: Regular exercise helps release hormones such as serotonin and endorphins, essential in the treatment of depression, in addition to improving well-being. Group exercise, like a sport, can have even more benefits, due to improved social coexistence;
• Reiki: it is a technique that provides relaxation and well-being, and can be useful to combat symptoms of depression;
• antidepressant diet: there are foods, such as bananas, peanuts, oats and milk, that increase the levels of tryptophan and other substances, such as magnesium, which stimulate the production of feel-good hormones. Find out which foods help you get out of depression.

Furthermore, it is recommended to invest in hobbies such as music, reading and group activities, for example, as these are activities that improve self-esteem and self-confidence, being important steps towards curing depression. See more tips on how to improve self-esteem.

How long does depression treatment last?

There is no pre-defined time for treating depression, so some people improve after a few months, while others need to be treated for years. This usually depends on the cause and severity of the disease, as well as the person’s ability and willingness to follow the treatment correctly.

Care during treatment

Some tips to enhance the treatment of depression, and allow faster healing, are:

• Do not keep the same medicine if there is no improvement after 6 weeks: this is the time needed for any medication to take effect, so, if no improvement was noticed during this period, it is important to talk to the psychiatrist to increase the dose or, in some cases, change the type of medication;
• Carry out reassessments with the psychiatrist: it is important to have follow-up appointments with the doctor at predetermined times, every 3 or 6 months, for example, so that symptoms can be reassessed and the need to adjust doses;
• Seek help: It is more difficult to overcome depression alone, so it is essential to talk to a friend, family member, psychologist or doctor whenever you are unwell, or notice a worsening of symptoms;
• Set goals: adopting an objective or goal to achieve, such as starting a new project, work or activity, as these can be attitudes that help give meaning to life;
• Avoid unhealthy habitssuch as alcohol, smoking, stress, spending too much time on social media and not sleeping properly, for example.

Furthermore, it is important to expose yourself to the sun for at least 15 minutes daily, avoid negative thoughts, stay in an open and bright environment, listen to music and go to the cinema or theater, for example, as these are attitudes that can help cure depression faster.