Treating Severe Depression

By Jack Morgan


The most noticeable symptom of severe depression is a continual low mood, sense of despair or profound sadness. Severe depression is more than temporary sadness or a "bad day". The mood changes that take place in severe depression can last for two weeks or may last even longer, for years and may be even months.

Though there is no way to prevent severe depression, but if it gets detected early the symptoms can be diminished and the illness can be prevented from returning. A combination of medication and psychotherapy works best as a severe depression treatment.

The foremost thing that an experienced psychiatrist has to do is to begin with adopting caring mind-set towards the patient. The psychiatrist should also find out and clarify the depression nature to the patient who should be convinced that his or her current condition is the result of an imbalance within the brain and can occur to anybody. Psychiatrists should start severe depression treatment by prescribing a few antidepressants.

It is also necessary for psychiatrists to make their patients conscious of these medicines' side effects, which may sometimes be upsetting and severe. They are sluggish to produce action and may occasionally worsen the state of depression. The patient frequently gets deterred from taking these drugs, being sickened by the side effects, thus he or she may need lots of encouragement to carry on his or her medications.

The psychiatrist also has to plan at least one meeting per week with that particular patient. The management of such patients demands calm and patience on the doctors' parts. There are instances where the medicine shows reverse outcome by worsening the mental condition of the patient and strengthening suicidal tendencies. Such patients require much assurance about the optimism of recovery. It is wise if some supportive relative or friend accompanies the patient into the doctor's chamber. That individual can be updated regarding the patient's condition and act as a supportive pillar to the patient.

The psychiatrist should lend a ready ear to pay attention to the patient while he or she talks regarding the side-effects. Even though these effects will decrease with time, though they are real and painful for the patient, therefore it may be essential to strongly highlight the medication's positive results. It is important for the doctor to closely examine the patient's depression symptoms and alert the patient on the progress he or she is making in relations to proceeding towards healing. This will certainly reinforce the patient and encourage him or her to continue with the medicine. If t occurs that the patient is declining to take the medications, it may become essential to make plans for his or her hospitalization. In case the patient becomes persistent on refusing to take medicine, sometimes even the slight mention of hospitalization may make him or her to resume the medications and carry on his or her status as an outpatient.

A technique known as cognitive behavioural technique helps a depressed person recognize his/her negative thinking and then teaches techniques than can help control symptoms. Depressed people can successfully sort out problems in their important relationships and also understand the history behind symptoms through psycho-dynamic, interpersonal or insight-oriented psychotherapy. Those who suffer from depression can find great help if they are educated about their illness.

In certain situations, a treatment known as ECT (electro convulsive therapy) can prove to be immensely helpful as part of the severe depression treatment. Even though this treatment is controversial, it cannot be denied it is very effective. The ECT treatment comprises an application of an electric impulse on the person's scalp, which then passes on to his/her brain resulting in a seizure. During the process the patient stays under the influence of anaesthesia and is carefully monitored. To avoid any outward indications of convulsions, medication is provided before the procedure, and this helps avoid injury. After about few days or weeks improvements start getting noticed. Electro-convulsive therapy is one of the most effective and quickest severe depression treatments, and many people have experienced great results in just few days.




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