If you've been struggling with depression for a long time, consider seeing a psychiatrist. One of the important services they offer is diagnosing your condition and uncovering the cause. Once you understand the reason for your depression, you and your psychiatrist can choose a treatment plan. Here are some treatments and psychiatric services your psychiatrist might recommend.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can often be a big help in managing depression. Exercise can boost your mood. Eating a healthy diet might make a difference too, especially if you eat a lot of junk food and sugar now. Getting enough sleep and doing hobbies you enjoy are also important for happiness.
Your psychiatrist might even recommend supplements for you to try before you start prescription drugs. Your psychiatrist customizes your treatment to your symptoms, and they may need to try a few approaches to find the right treatment for you.
Talk Therapy And CBT
Talk therapy is still helpful for treating depression even though there are additional options to try. Your psychiatrist can understand your problem better and judge your progress when you have regular talk therapy sessions. Talk therapy may be combined with other types of treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you new ways to deal with your problems. This may be especially helpful if you have habitual thinking and dark thoughts. When you have a usual thought, you can learn to switch it for another one and gradually change your thinking and your response.
Medications
Medications aren't always prescribed for depression, but if your psychiatrist thinks they could help, they might try them. You'll probably be monitored regularly to make sure you're responding well to the medications and so the dosage can be adjusted when needed.
Transcranial Magnetic Therapy
TMS is a treatment for depression your psychiatrist might offer. With this, the psychiatrist places a magnetic coil against your head. Magnetic pulses are delivered that affect your brain in the region that controls your depression. These treatments might boost your mood by activating your brain. You might take this treatment along with other types of psychiatric services.
Ketamine
Ketamine treatments are sometimes used for depression, but they're usually reserved for when other treatments don't help. Your psychiatrist can determine when to try this form of treatment. Ketamine is a drug used in anesthesia, but when used for depression, it is used in small amounts. The drug can be taken by IV or as a nasal spray. Ketamine may be beneficial for treating thoughts of suicide.
For more information on psychiatric services, contact a professional near you.
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