Can depression really be cured? As a family member of a patient with depression is very desperate?
The family has depression patients, especially the more serious depression patients, a long time of treatment, everywhere seeking medical treatment, can not be recovered, such as medication, psychological counseling, and even massage, acupuncture, superstitions, etc. are used, as a family, anxious, desperate is understandable.
The core problem of depression is that patients do not see their own strengths and strengths, do not see their own future and hope, think they are useless, they are a mess, the future is even more of a mess, so anxiety, despair. But many depressed people have a lot of success, they are others see excellent people, promising people, so adjusting depression is also to take advantage of their former excellence, reshaped to the original state.
As long as I have the determination to recover quickly, positive cooperation, and family consideration, it is possible to recover.
The first step is to confirm the diagnosis - because many physical illnesses can masquerade as symptoms of depression, the first step in treatment is to do a thorough physical examination. In addition to ruling out physical factors (e.g., cancer, malnutrition, mild stroke, some kind of metabolic disorder), it is important to thoroughly review the recent treatment the patient has received, as certain medications may produce depression-like side effects (e.g., fatigue or hyperarousal that interferes with sleep). Once these possibilities have been ruled out, the next step is to choose an appropriate treatment strategy. Many people with major depression in this country do not receive professional treatment, in large part due to an inability to recognize symptoms, shame in seeking care, or a lack of evidence-based treatment knowledge on the part of caregivers. The truth is that depression should be treated and can be treated, and with the help of specialized health care providers and physicians, even severely depressed patients can have their symptoms effectively relieved. Under the existing treatment conditions, the treatment of depression is divided into two kinds: one is psychological treatment and the other is biological treatment.
1. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapies focus on understanding how thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors interact with depressed mood. They are generally conducted by a trained practitioner (in most cases a clinical psychologist or licensed clinical social worker) in a one-on-one or group setting and are an important part of a comprehensive treatment program for depression. (1) Cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the premise that individuals can learn to think and act differently than they did before, leading to improved mood. A key component of cognitive-behavioral therapy is having patients record their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through this monitoring, the patient identifies situations or triggers for low mood and situations associated with improved mood. Once the triggers are identified, the patient learns to recognize and adjust to automatically distorted thoughts and make behavioral changes to improve mood and functioning. For example, after a patient consistently recorded her moods and thoughts, she realized that her mood was always low whenever she approached the weekend. The first few days of the week she would focus on work-related tasks, but she found that around Wednesday she began to have thoughts of "other people are planning the weekend and I'll be on my own as usual". On Friday mornings she was always negative and the thoughts would get worse: "I'm a total loser." "No one would want to be with me." Through her work with the clinical therapist, she began to overcome these negative thoughts with more balanced thoughts and fewer "all or nothing" thoughts. For example, she no longer thought, "No one will want to be with me," but rather, "I don't give people a chance to know who I am, and I have to take the initiative." Once she realizes this weekly pattern, she uses these negative thoughts as a call to action rather than as a signal of the pain and loneliness that inevitably comes with weekends.
(2) Interpersonal psychotherapy. This approach to therapy emphasizes the importance of existing interpersonal relationships to mental health. The core principle is that interpersonal problems can trigger depression and that depression itself affects interpersonal functioning. Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on talks about interpersonal problems (grief, role changes, disputes, interpersonal deficits) to guide treatment. Therapeutic techniques include emotional expression, emotional clarification, communication analysis, and behavior change. Interpersonal psychotherapy is effective for mild to moderate depression and can also be used to treat bad moods, adolescent and late-life depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
(3) Behavioral activation. Based on the theoretical foundation that depression is caused by a lack of positive reinforcement, early behavioral interventions focus on enhancing feelings of pleasure and therefore reinforcement through scheduling of pleasurable activities, social skills training, and time management strategies. Behavioral activation therapy for depression has refined this approach by emphasizing the need to increase positive emotions by increasing positive reinforcement for healthy behaviors. For example, for some patients who are stuck in dead-end jobs, therapy may include weekly trips to the library to read books about career development. In behavioral activation therapy, the therapist and patient make a comprehensive list of goals for important life areas. Each week, the therapist and patient*** work together to develop more specific goals and activities to be accomplished by the patient. As the patient accomplishes these goals, the increased positive reinforcement helps depressive symptoms decrease.
2. Biological treatments
The most common biological treatments are medications that alter chemicals in the brain and body that regulate mood. These treatments are very effective in reducing symptoms of depression, especially when they are combined with psychotherapy.
(1) First-generation antidepressants - tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The first drugs to enter the market for the treatment of depression were monoamine oxidase inhibitors (monoamine oxidase inhibitors, MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (antidepressants; tricyclic antidepressants, TCAs), sometimes referred to as traditional or first-generation antidepressants . Monoamine oxidase inhibitors inhibit (block) the action of the enzyme monoamine oxidase when treating depression. Normally, this enzyme breaks down the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and dopamine in the brain. By blocking the operation of this enzyme, the availability of these neurotransmitters in the synapses is increased, which is thought to have an antidepressant effect. These medications are effective, especially for those with depressive symptoms such as lethargy and weight gain. People taking MAOIs are advised to avoid foods containing tyramine, as the interaction of these foods and medications can lead to hypertension (very high blood pressure) and possibly death. Foods containing tyramine include smoked/cured/cooked meats or fish, sauerkraut, aged cheeses, yeast extracts, fava beans, beef or chicken livers, well-cooked sausages, game, red/white wines, beer, spirits, gravies, caffeine-containing beverages, chocolates, sauces, white cheeses, cream cheeses, yogurt, and yogurt cheeses. Because of these potentially dangerous side effects, MAOIs are usually only indicated for patients who have not responded to other medications. Tricyclic antidepressants work by blocking the reuptake of neurotransmitters in the brain primarily norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. By blocking their reuptake within the neurons, their availability in the synapses is prolonged. The origin of the names of these drugs is based on the fact that they all have a tricyclic molecular structure. Countless randomized clinical trials have documented the efficacy of these drugs compared to placebo. Typically, patients are required to take the medication for six to eight weeks. If the response is positive, the medication may need to be continued for many months to prevent recurrence. It is very important that these medications not be stopped abruptly. First-generation antidepressants are often accompanied by a variety of side effects, including dry mouth, constipation, bladder problems, sexual problems, blurred vision, dizziness, daytime drowsiness, and increased heart rate. As a result, they are no longer the drug of choice for treating depression.
(2) Second-generation antidepressants. Second-generation antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls) and 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Fluoxetine is perhaps the best known antidepressant, and it was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987. The question of how second-generation antidepressants work is not yet fully understood. In short, they work by restoring normal chemical balance by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine at the presynaptic membrane.SNRIs inhibit the reuptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine and, to a lesser extent, dopamine.The SSRIs and other second-generation antidepressants appear to be just as effective as the TCAs and MAOIs. Their advantage is that they have fewer and milder side effects than TCAs (side effects may include sexual problems, headache, nausea, nervousness, difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night, and nervousness), which are usually well tolerated by the patient.Concerns about a potentially fatal adverse effect of SSRIs increased in the early 21st century. Several well-publicized cases led the FDA to issue a "black box" warning label stating that antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder. This is the most serious warning the FDA can issue about a prescription drug. Treatment of young people with SSRIs requires close monitoring, especially during the first 4 weeks of a depressive episode, for increased depressive symptoms, the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or changes in behaviors such as insomnia, irritability, or social withdrawal. Despite potentially dangerous side effects, these medications have not been banned because they offer tangible benefits to moderately and severely depressed adolescent patients, including those with suicidal ideation. The pharmacological mechanisms that increase suicidal ideation and behavior are currently unknown. Some suspect that SSRIs first improve physical symptoms before elevated mood. Thus, in the early stages of treatment, adolescents may feel more energetic, and this increased energy and little change in depressed mood increase the likelihood of acting on suicidal thoughts. However, although careful and cautious monitoring is necessary, a retrospective review of multiple studies ultimately concluded that the benefits of SSRI treatment far outweigh its risks.
(3) Electroconvulsive therapy. Medication is not the only biological treatment for severe depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for major depression, especially for people who are extremely depressed, who do not respond to medication or psychotherapy, who are unable to take antidepressants, or who are at serious risk of suicide. eCT is also effective in treating mania. As in the past, ECT is controversial, and the concerns reported in past eras remain the same concerns of some physicians and patients today. Initially, ECT was used to treat psychotic disorders. At that time, patients were not using muscle relaxants, which often produced damage from intense spasms. In addition, placement of bilateral electrodes often resulted in significant and permanent memory loss. Modern approaches to ECT are safer and more humane than these early methods, while often providing faster symptom relief than any pharmacological or psychotherapeutic approach. Current treatment procedures include the use of muscle relaxants and brief general anesthesia. Electrodes are placed in precise locations on the scalp and electrical impulses are delivered to cause brief spasms of the brain. The mechanism of action is still a mystery. The spasmodic episodes induced are not specifically directed to a particular brain region, but affect the secretion of a number of neurotransmitters. Modern unilateral (one-sided) methods are equally effective and cause less memory loss. The most common side effects of currently used ECT are post-treatment confusion and temporary memory loss. ECT is usually used several times a week for several weeks.
(4) Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) was first proposed in 1984 by Norman Rosenthal, a psychiatrist at the National Center for Mental Health Research. It is a subtype of major depression that afflicts millions of people worldwide.SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that are affected by seasonal changes. While some patients experience summer depression, most have episodes in December, January and February. Symptoms of SAD in the winter include increased appetite, increased sleep, weight gain, interpersonal difficulties, and a feeling of heaviness (lead) in the individual's limbs. The origins of SAD are not fully understood, and it is currently believed that the causes are largely, if not entirely, biological. Of particular interest is the fact that the further away from the equator one goes, the higher the prevalence and severity (although beyond a certain latitude it begins to plateau). In addition, relatively sensitive people may present more pronounced symptoms in persistently cloudy weather. This suggests that decreased exposure to sunlight is associated with SAD genesis, possibly due to increased melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland, and prolonged darkness increases the production of this hormone. Exposure to light suppresses melatonin production. Patients who are not severely suicidal or who cannot take antidepressants may be treated with light therapy (light therapy). It involves exposing the patient to bright light usually created by artificial light sources such as light boxes, light shades, or dawn simulators. The light produced by these devices is about 10 times brighter than the light from an ordinary household light bulb. The patient is given light therapy at the same time each day (usually in the morning), usually to ensure that the light lasts for 30 to 90 minutes. The patient sits at the light source with his or her eyes open so that the light reaches the retina. Treatment usually begins each winter when symptoms appear and continues through the spring. Since it is not necessary to use full-spectrum light when taking light therapy, ultraviolet light is filtered out to avoid damaging the eyes and skin. However, there are occasional side effects of light therapy, including photophobia (sensitivity of the eyes to light), headaches, fatigue, irritability, mania and insomnia. In addition, light boxes are expensive and often not covered by insurance. Despite these potential drawbacks, in all cases, a large number of cases have shown light therapy to be effective in treating SAD.
(5) Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses an electromagnetic coil placed on the patient's head to deliver a painless, localized electromagnetic pulse to part of the brain. How the treatment works is currently unknown. However, several clinical trials comparing it to placebo procedures have concluded that transcranial magnetic stimulation can be used as an effective alternative to ECT or medication. Light box therapy is sometimes used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
(6) Deep brain stimulation. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment that targets the area of the infrapopliteal cingulate gyrus, which is important for modulating changes in negative emotions. Electrodes are surgically implanted into specific, dysfunctional areas of the brain. These electrodes are connected by wires to a pulse generator (or "brain pacemaker") implanted in the chest wall. The electrodes continuously release tiny electrical pulses that immediately deactivate (not kill) the surrounding brain cells. In this way, DBS works to treat disorders characterized by over-excitation by suppressing abnormal activity in specific target areas of the brain.DBS has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and some tremor-type disorders of the body.DBS has also been used for the treatment of psychotic disorders.DBS was used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in 2001, and was shown to dramatically improve the effects of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression in **** disorders. depression.In March 2005, DBS was used to treat six cases of chronic, refractory depression. Some patients reported immediate improvement in their mood: a sudden feeling of intense calm and relaxation, mental dullness was swept away, dark clouds lifted, a sense of emptiness was eliminated, and fears hidden in the chest faded. In addition, the researchers found that the patients' spontaneous speech rate also became higher after the motor speed was increased. While these results are intriguing, they are still only preliminary.The efficacy of DBS still needs to be confirmed with larger controlled clinical trials.
Depression can be cured. This disease in the heart is something can not let go, the thought of nonsense and can not control, according to the insomnia God path debilitating. The main cause is grief and fear. Sorrow is related to the lungs and fear is related to the kidneys. Find a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to regulate the five organs and keep them in balance. Practice more physical exercises. Self-regulate in your heart, tell yourself every day, for the sake of your parents and your children. Put down all the things in your heart. According to what I said to do this disease in three months to get rid of the root. The patient is too young to need to see a psychiatrist, the family should be more heart and understanding for the top.
Mainly depends on the patient himself, there is no determination to come out of the quagmire of depression. When he realizes that something is wrong with him and actively seeks help, it is possible to come out.
The best way for his family to help him is not to console him, not to blame and criticize him, and not to say empty words of encouragement. The best thing to do is to accept him in his state, rest if he wants to, go out with him if he wants to. Don't demand things from him the way you think you should. For example, forcing him to go to the park for a walk and asking him to run for exercise are methods that have worked for others and may work for him, but only in the context of his own willingness to do so.
Letting go of all expectations and being there for him every day is the slowest but actually the fastest path to recovery.
There is no such thing as a bad disease, only people who give up on themselves. Nowadays, medicine is so advanced that many people with depression can get well. You as a family member, you must be positive to face, timely medical treatment, cooperate with the doctor treatment, if you do not believe that can be good, then the child even more no hope, a lot of disease is actually related to the mood, the more negative on the body the more unfavorable, their own scared of their own light, resulting in a more serious condition, not a few. So, you have to be open-minded and optimistic. I wish your child a speedy recovery.
Due to the stress of life and other factors, many people now suffer from depression, many people's depression or agitation, or insomnia, or two-way emotion, will be obsessive-compulsive disorder and so on, but depression can be controlled under the guidance of a doctor to take medication, if not controlled, will affect the body, health, reduce the quality of life, but many patients are reluctant to face the problem of not actively treating it, which is not the right not to underestimate the impact of psychological disorders on the life of a person.
First of all, it must be clear that depression is a physical illness, not a mental illness. So it must be treated in accordance with the attitude of the physical disease, take the medication on time and follow the doctor's instructions, and regularly review the situation. The treatment and recovery of depression is very long and arduous, but there are many examples of cured people around!
Clinical data proved that depression and endocrine disorders have a huge correlation, and regular aerobic exercise for the regulation of the endocrine has a huge improvement around, which is why many depressed patients through running a marathon completely war depression! I hope it helps you.
You are a family member, to believe that it will be good ah, if the patient to see his family are on his illness is hopeless their own certainly more have no desire to live, blessing of healing Oh
Personally, I think that depression is because of the full of support. I'm not sure if I've ever had a good time, but I'm sure I've had a good time, and I'm sure I've had a good time, and I'm sure I've had a good time. I've never heard of depression in a construction site where you're moving bricks