Depression in men is treatable with therapy, medication and rehab.
Dealing with the symptoms of depression on your own isn’t easy. The best way to recover from depression is to get effective depression treatment.
Despite knowing this, only about 50 percent of adults who have depression get needed treatment, according to a study in the Archives of General Psychology. Of those, only 21 percent get the depression treatment that is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association.
Without proper treatment, you may never fully recover from addiction. You may constantly battle low energy, a sense of helplessness, a lack of interest in activities and people, and recurring aches and pains.
Treating Depression Through Therapy, Antidepressants
Because depression is highly treatable, there is no reason that you should continue to suffer from the symptoms of depression. The most effective treatment involves both talk therapy and antidepressants, and may involve other types of treatment that can help you learn to cope with or manage the disorder in case it reappears.
Therapy is offered in individual or group sessions, and can continue for as long as needed. Talking with a therapist who specializes in depression can help you learn healthier ways to deal with stressors and problems so that you are less likely to become depressed.
Depending on how severe your depression is, your therapist may prescribe you an antidepressant to alleviate the symptoms. Antidepressants come in the following forms, and it may take some experimenting to find the one that works best for you:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Zoloft and Prozac, help normalize the brain chemical serotonin to regulate mood. These drugs do not have many serious side effects.
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which include Effexor and Cymbalta, help normalize the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine to regulate mood. These drugs may cause insomnia or jitteriness.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Parnate and Marplan, are an older form of antidepressant that can have serious side effects. These are often only used if other forms of antidepressants have not been effective.
- Tricyclics, including Norpramin and Pamelor, are another older antidepressant with serious side effects.
Effective depression treatment may also include the following:
- Regular exercise, which can boost your mood through the release of endorphins
- St. John’s wort, an herbal remedy for depression
- Support groups
- Relaxation techniques, such as yoga and breathing
- Self-treatment through books and online research
If these methods don’t ease the symptoms of your depression, you may want to consider spending time at a residential treatment center that specializes in depression. A treatment center will provide you individual and group therapy, necessary medications, and a nurturing and supportive environment away from your daily stressors that allows you to focus on healing.
Be one of the 50 percent of people who gets help for their depression and seek the treatment you need today to stop feeling depressed and get your life back on track.
