Why Psychological Treatment Methods for Depression Can Work Better Than Antidepressants

By: Tess Thompson
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:18:42
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Millions of people who are suffering from depression are currently taking antidepressant medication in an attempt to battle the condition. Oftentimes, doctors are quick to prescribe the medication -- in fact, many times, it's the first thing they do after diagnosing a patient.

One of the keys to understanding and treating depression is understanding what antidepressants really do: they tackle the symptoms of depression, not the roots. In many cases, psychotherapy and behavioral therapy are much more effective in treating depression and preventing relapse than medication is. Antidepressants can be useful, especially in cases where the symptoms are so intense that it prevents the patient from receiving any other kind of treatment. But even in those cases where major depression treatment is needed, antidepressants alone are rarely enough to permanently battle the condition -- they are just an effective way to temporarily relieve the patient's symptoms enough to allow him/her to receive proper treatment.

Antidepressants are used to treat chemical imbalance in the brain, but what many do not realize is that the chemical imbalance is usually a symptom of depression and not the cause. Even when treating the symptoms, antidepressants can be highly unpredictable. In one third of the cases, the medication is effective; in one third, it is partially effective, and in the remaining third, it is not effective at all. In many cases, even when the medication is working, the side effects are so unpleasant that the patient elects to stop using it. Also, antidepressants are not meant to be taken permanently. When a patient stops taking them, he/she is likely to relapse.

Depression is often better combated without any medication at all. Psychological treatment methods for depression -- especially certain kinds of psychotherapy -- have proven highly effective in treating the condition permanently. Good counseling will break down each patient's cycle of depression and help the patient identify unhealthy behaviors or thinking patterns and teach him/her how to change them. If there is a particular event that triggered the depression, counseling can help the patient work through that as well.

Some herbal remedies can be a good complement to therapy by helping to naturally relieve some of the symptoms of depression. St. John's Wort is generally considered to be one of the most potent natural remedies for depression, and is so effective that it outsells prescription medications in some markets. Other popular choices for treating depression naturally include ginko biloba and passion flower.

In all cases, depression should be treated with the help of a professional. However, the more responsibility you take for learning about your condition, the better you'll understand your options, and the more participation you'll have in deciding which treatment is best for you. Remember to allow time for whichever treatment option you choose to take effect, and to speak up if you are uncomfortable. Eventually, you will find your path to better health.

Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for treating depression naturally and natural remedies for depression.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Depression category

  • Treating Your Schizophrenic Loved One - By: Marco Gonzaga
    Treating schizophrenia uses antispychotic medications, which can be availed from the best Internet pharmacy. Moreover, attending to a schizophrenic loved one entails a good deal of time, money, and emotional strength on the part of the caregiver/s.
  • Effective Means for Teenagers to Manage Heartbreaks - By: Marco Gonzaga
    If unaddressed, feelings of heartbreak pile up and can cause depression or anxiety disorder symptoms to arise. Although it can be very hard, the first step in healing a broken heart is to own up to the truth that you are hurting.
  • About Ambien - By: John Scott
    Ambien is a prescription sleep medication that is prescribed for those who suffer from poor sleep quality, are irritable, or who may have trouble staying asleep once they've awaken.
  • Sleep as we grow older - By: John Scott
    The article looks at the latest research into sleep patterns and finds evidence that older people may actually sleep less than younger people.
  • Keeping medical scare stories in perspective - By: John Scott
    The article considers the urban myth that sleep-aids like ambien cause dangerous sleepwalking incidents. The WHO has just issued a report that found a trivial number of incidents reported from 24 countries around the world.
  • Care Bear's Tonic? Actually CBT's not that different - By: John Scott
    The article looks at the rate of insomnia in Scotland and notes that the Government has just begun a pilot study into the use of CBT as an alternative to reliance on medication.
  • Getting to Know About the Various Personality Disorders - By: Marco Gonzaga
    Treatment would rely on the specific kind of disorder, for there are many different kinds of personality disorders. Alternatives would involve hospitalization, psychotherapy, and medications such as the best antidepressant for your condition (to be prescribed by a doctor) and other psychotropic drugs.
  • Is Your Personality Making You Sick? - By: Sandra Prior
    Research into how our personality affects our health has produced some interesting findings. For instance, being cheerful isn't necessarily good for you.
  • Work Stress? It's a State of Mind - By: Sandra Prior
    It may be that events at work conspire against you - but it's how you respond to them that makes all the difference. It all comes down to attitude. Each of our attitudes is like a pebble thrown into the still waters of the pond, creating a ripple effect all around us.
  • What Can Be Done about Depression in Alzheimer's Disease? - By: John Scott
    The article considers whether there is any evidence that Zoloft may assist people who have Alzheimer's Disease and are depressed. It concludes that the limited evidence is quite encouraging.