6 Effective Ways To Treat Depression

Depression is a very common and serious mental health condition that negatively affects the way you feel, think or behave. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability globally and affects more than 300 million individuals of all ages. At its worst, depression can make one feel suicidal and hence, it is important to learn the ways to manage depression effectively.

Here are some effective ways to treat depression:

1. Psychological Treatments- Talking therapies can aid in changing the way you think and help improve your coping skills to better deal with life stresses and mental conflicts. Not only do psychological therapies support your recovery but they can also make you stay well by identifying and modifying unwanted thoughts and behaviors.

2. Psychosocial Treatments- Various kinds of psychosocial treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, problem-solving therapy, and behavior therapy. These therapies can be suggested as an initial treatment of individuals with major depressive disorder.

3. Antidepressants- Though they might not help cure depression, antidepressants have been a popular treatment choice to treat depression effectively. There are a wide number of antidepressants available and you should discuss with your doctor to find out which one might suit you better. Based on your symptoms, possible side effects, interactions with other medications you might be taking, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor might prescribe one accordingly.

4. Regular Physical Activity- One of the easiest, cheapest and an all-natural way to fight depression can be exercising. Working out has been proven to increase the hippocampus region in the brain (which is smaller in people with depression). Regular exercise can aid nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, improving nerve cell connections and thereby help relieve depression.

5. Following A Healthy Diet- Food can be a powerful tool to deal with depression. Changing your nutrition can be a simple and small-cost treatment to treat depression. Nutritional interventions such as increasing healthy eating habits and reducing unhealthy ones can help manage depression effectively. Experts opine that foods with omega-3-fatty acids and folic acid can help ease depression.

6. Getting Adequate Sleep- Although you might find it hard to sleep when you are depressed, once you start making some lifestyle changes, you can improve your sleep. Sleep disturbances and insomnia can lead to depression and it is adviced that you treat your sleep problems first in order to manage depression effectively. Try strategies like avoiding sleeping during the daytime, spending more time outside during the day, making a regular sleep time, etc and try to improve your sleep.