No ‘One Size Fits All’: Different Types of Treatment For Major Depression

If you struggle with depression, you’re already quite aware of the significant impact it plays on your life.

Many people with depression suffer for years in silence before ever making the decision to seek help. If you’re one of these people, you’re not alone.

Maybe you thought your depression would get better over time. Or, perhaps you couldn’t fit treatment into your financial budget in the past. Whatever the reason, taking the initiative to get help for your major depression is a monumental decision, and you should be proud.

Once you begin seeking treatment you might find you’re quickly overwhelmed by the endless techniques, styles, and information out there. How do you know what is going to work for you?

Really, what is the therapy for depression? If you’re here to find the best treatments for major depressive disorder, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s talk about it.

Female hand trying to connect a missing jigsaw puzzle of human brain on gray background. Creative idea for solving problem, memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease concept. Mental health care.

What Is Major Depressive Disorder?

Major depressive disorder, otherwise known as clinical depression is a severe mood disorder in which an individual has persistent low moods, loss of interest in everyday activities, and other various emotional and physical symptoms. This condition affects the way a person thinks, lives, and behaves.

Unlike persistent depressive disorder, in which a person experiences chronic, less severe low moods with little to no relief, those with major depressive disorder have periods in which they feel better.

During these breaks, they may return to their normal baseline mood. However, it’s often only a matter of time before another depressive episode kicks in.

Symptoms Of Major Depressive Disorder Include:

• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness

• Feeling numb or disconnected

• Anger, irritability, or frustration

• Sleeping problems

• Changes in appetite

• An inability to feel pleasure

Is There a Cure For Depression?

There is currently no cure for depression, as to cure something ensures it will never come around again. Many people that struggle with depression find that it’s rarely a one-time experience.

Don’t let this get you down. There are various treatments for depression that have proven to be successful in helping others live full, happy lives.

Are anti-depressants the end all be all for depression? Absolutely not! There are other ways for treating major depressive disorder without medication.

While some people choose medication, it’s always encouraged to use anti-depressants alongside other treatment options to ensure a full recovery.

How To Treat Severe Depression:

Let’s talk about three of the best ways to treat major depressive disorder without risking any harmful side effects of medication. Suffering from depression can feel like an isolating black hole, however, these treatments are here to free you from the chains of hopelessness and put you back on your feet again.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or, CBT is known as the gold standard of treatment in psychology. Not only is it incredibly versatile, and useful in hundreds of situations, its effectiveness has been proven time and time again.

CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on your moods and thoughts while targeting actions and behaviors that arise from these thinking patterns. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy. As an individual speaks with their therapist about real-time stressors, a licensed mental health professional will be able to spot any distorted or unhealthy thoughts related to the situation that may be making their depression worse.

After these thoughts are identified, a client and therapist will work together to redirect them into healthier, more beneficial thinking patterns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for major depressive disorder has been proven to help relieve symptoms of depression such as sadness, emptiness, and anxiety.

A therapy group for with five members discussing their depression symptoms

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation:

Another wonderful medication-free option for treating depression is transcranial magnetic stimulation, or, TMS.

While the term may sound daunting, TMS is a painless, non-invasive procedure.

At Gemini TMS, a cap is placed over an individual’s head while short, repetitive magnetic pulses are sent throughout the brain to target areas associated with depression and depressive symptoms. While relief is often felt early on, multiple sessions are recommended to ensure stimulation in areas of the brain with decreased activity.

TMS is an effective method of treatment for patients that have tried medication without success, or with negative side effects, in the past. Unlike anti-depressants, transcranial magnetic stimulation can directly impact areas of the brain medication can’t.

Stellate Ganglion Blocks:

Up-and-coming research has indicated the use of stellate ganglion blocks as an effective form of treatment in patients with depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain.

When we experience trauma, our bodies are forced into a constant state of fight or flight. This heightened response is detrimental to our emotional and physical health.

Stellate block injections target the nervous system and rewire a patient’s brain causing it to return back to pre-trauma levels.

When our brains can rest, they can recover. SGB is a minimally invasive procedure with little to no side effects. In addition, relief can be felt in as little as 30 minutes!

So, What is The Best Therapy For Major Depressive Disorder?

Every person’s experience with depression is unique. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution for major depressive disorder. Some people use medication and learn how to cope with the side effects, while others seek other avenues.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a great option for those who want to try a form of talk therapy in order to learn healthier ways of coping with depressive thoughts.

TMS can greatly benefit those who have had bad experiences with anti-depressants in the past or those who choose to manage their depression medication free.

Stellate ganglion blocks can be effective for individuals struggling with more than just their depression, or for those that can’t engage in other methods of treatment.

It may take some time to learn what therapy is best for you. No matter what your situation may be, there are many mental health professionals that dedicate their lives to helping someone with major depressive disorder, just like you.