Treatment Options for Depression: From Therapy to Lifestyle Changes

Depression can be an overwhelming mental illness, but there are several different options for treating it, helping you manage depression and enjoy a normal life.

From therapy to medication to both small and significant lifestyle changes, there are many avenues one can try to treat depression.

Here, Medmate discusses the different treatment options for depression, and how we can help you get the treatment you deserve:

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Therapy is one of the most effective methods of treating depression, and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is at the top of the list.

CBT is a psychological treatment which recognises that the way we think (cognition) and act (behaviour) affects the way we feel. The aim is then to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours which can prevent us from recovering from depression. In CBT, a mental health professional will work with you to identify unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns. Your professional will then help you replace unhelpful thoughts and behaviours with new ones that reduce your depression. It can be delivered one-on-one with a professional, in groups, or online.

Antidepressants

In many cases of moderate and severe depression, antidepressants are prescribed. Generally, antidepressants take 2 weeks or longer before they start to help. Deciding which antidepressant is best for you depends on several factors like your medical history, age, severity of symptoms, risk of side effects and other factors. The most common types of antidepressants in Australia are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Lifestyle changes

While depression may not be able to be totally cured by lifestyle changes, they can definitely help make you feel happier and healthier. Eating a healthy diet, exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, meditation and focussing on improving sleep are all small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference to managing depression. Resistance training (lifting weights) is particularly useful to assist with changes in habit and mood. Changing careers or moving to a different city are big lifestyle changes which may also help.

Treating depression is usually most effective with a combination of a few of these treatment methods. To get the best treatment for depression, book in for a telehealth consult with Medmate. We’re Australia’s online mental health specialists, offering empathetic treatment for depression from the comfort of your home. Our team includes experienced, non-judgemental clinicians and psychologists who are committed to helping you get back on track with your mental health. Book in for a consult today and start feeling better.