Many Americans suffer from depression each year, and while there may be medication for it, most people still suffer from the condition. Technological advancements in the field of medicine have allowed for better diagnosis and treatment of depression. Effective forms of therapy and different types of treatment are now available to treat depression. Most doctors and physicians stray away from providing antidepressants to patients because of some of its adverse effects. These new treatment options have more added benefits and have been clinically tested and tried. They include:
1. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Finding out what’s TMS therapy for depression will help you understand how it works to treat the condition. TMS is a non-invasive procedure that involves the use of magnetic fields in the brain. The magnetic fields stimulate nerve cells and alleviate the symptoms of depression. This treatment targets the nerve cells in your brain that control your mood and depression. The result is an improved mood in the patient. TMS is used when other forms of treatment have failed to work.
2. St. John’s Wort
This is a herbal medicine whose plant is yellow and has star-shaped flowers. It works by improving the mood of a person through its chemical hypericin. It has been banned in some countries because it has adverse effects when interacted with other medicines. Extra care should be taken when using this form of treatment.
3. Electroconvulsive therapy
This procedure is also referred to as ECT and is done under general anesthesia. The treatment uses small electric currents passed through the brain to trigger a seizure. The currents cause a change in the chemistry of the brain, thus reversing the symptoms of depression. ECT is a safe treatment option for you if you have severe depression and have tried other forms of treatment without any luck. Although it has some side effects, the risks are few, and it is effective in changing the signs and symptoms of depression.
4. Diet
If you have heard of the phrase ‘you are what you eat,’ you probably have an idea of how this works. Your mood and food are related in that what you take in affects how you feel for the rest of the day. If you suffer from depression, it is advisable to try and change your diet to foods that alleviate your mood and lift your spirit. Most junk and unhealthy foods may be sweet and savory at the moment but can make you feel low afterward. Instead, opt for healthy, natural, and fresh foods that contribute to your health and mood. These foods should also be energy giving to provide you with fuel throughout the day.
5. Exercise
Exercising is vital to maintaining good mental health. When you are involved in physical activity, your mood is elevated, and you experience the runner’s high that many people involved in exercising feel. If you are depressed, exercising helps in nerve cell growth and creating new nerve cell connections, thus relieving the symptoms of depression. This nerve cell growth is mostly experienced in the hippocampus, which is the region of the brain that regulates mood.
Ultimately
You may have tried antidepressants before or cannot use them because you are pregnant or have another medical condition and they did not work. If the medication has not alleviated your symptoms, try out the above treatment options to treat your depression. They will go a long way in improving your mental health.