Treatment Options
Luckily, depression is treatable. It is important to always seek medical advice before beginning treatment. Remember, treatment options are UP TO YOU. Medical professionals may recommend different treatment options depending on your current medications or severity of depression. Mild depression can often be treated with psychotherapy while major depression may be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Holistic approaches to depression is also an option and can have major benefits to your mind and body.
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First and foremost..
Through intensive research, I have found a reoccurring theme when it comes to depression treatment. Dr. Stephanie Rodrigues from the University of Massachusetts explains in her Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation that veterans often believe that depression is both a weakness and an unwanted label, and many veterans who have been screened and diagnosed with depression refuse to follow up for treatment. Her research concluded that even though 80-90% of treated patients succeeded in recovery, patients averaged 7 years before beginning treatment (Rodrigues, 129).
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Though somewhat lengthy, this article goes into depth discussing the impact of stigma of veteran treatment seeking for depression. It is important to understand that treatment is always available and more times than less, succsesful.
(clickable link)
Antidepressants
The Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center breaks down antidepressants into 5 classes. It is important to understand that all brains are unique and these medications will effect the chemicals in each brain differently. Since depression is viewed as a medical disorder, a doctor must prescribe these medications upon diagnosis. It is also important to always take these medications as directed and allow 4-6 weeks to notice a change in symptoms. The five classes of antidepressants are as follows: (Mental illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, 5-6)
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Class One: Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Class Two: Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
Class Three: Atypical Antidepressants
Class Four: Tricyclis and Tetracyclis
Class Five: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
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(clickable link)
The VA Healthcare system uses the Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical center to conduct research on mental illnesses and to provide simple overviews on most healthcare topics.
Psychotherapy
The Mayo Clinic describes Psychotherapy as treating mental illness by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other healthcare providers. This approach is often called talk therapy, counseling, or psychosocial therapy. The British Journal of Psychiatry concluded that not only does therapy improve depression symptoms both short and long term, it also is directly related to an improved quality of life (Cujipers, Kleiboer, Kolovos, 460-462).
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The National Center for PTSD which is located on the VA Healthcare's webpage breaks down the types of psychotherapy that the VA will offer. These evidence-based recommendations relate to common occurrences that veterans face and tackle each occurrence in a specific manner. Treating PTSD with psychotherapy proves to be beneficial in treating depression as well and links are provided by the VA to begin treatment. These treatments are designed to teat veterans individually with a specific approach for each situation.
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Once being assigned a primary care provider, it is easy to set up an appointment at your closest VA Hospital. The link above is your first step in finding a counselor and beginning treatment.