There are some type of treatments that attempts to use methods other than drugs, such as music in the case of music therapy, to draw the patient out of their depression. Using drugs can really alter the chemical system in the body. It also changes a lot in you, including your appearance, mood, and routine. They mostly provide trigger happy feelings. As in they make you feel better in the moment, and when the effects wear off, your back to square one. Nonetheless, they help diminish the pain of a patient and make them relatively happier at least for some time. They are normally only prescribed in the worst case scenarios and are coupled with depression treatment without drugs.
Some depression treatments without drugs are:
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a form of therapy that uses noninvasive techniques. It uses magnetic waves and fields to stimulate the cells of the brain and try and reduce the symptoms of depression. It is typically a last resort method and is used when all else has failed. The treatment involves delivering multiple magnetic pulses and is also called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Typically, the patient is made to sit in a chair and an electromagnetic coil is placed on their forehead against the scalp. Then painlessly, a magnetic pulse is delivered through the coil to the brain. This stimulates the nerve cells in that region of the brain that is responsible for controlling moods, emotions, and depression. The magnitude of the magnetic pulse will be determined by the doctor. They will keep increasing the pulse until your hands twitch. That will be taken as a reference point and the magnitude of the pulse will be adjusted accordingly. The magnitude differs from session to session, depending on how you are feeling on that day. The procedure lasts for typically forty minutes and you will be awake and alert during the procedure. If the procedure works for you, the symptoms of depression will reduce greatly or may even go away completely. The treatment needs to be delivered for a couple of weeks for it to be effective. A patient does not have any constraints about what they can do during the time period between and after the treatment.
Depression is surprisingly common ailment but, many do not seek treatment due to the stigma around mental illnesses that exists in society. Depression, like any other ailment, needs to be treated. The symptoms of depression are hard to recognize as they can be put down to being temporary. It is very important to recognize the symptoms and try to help the person at the earliest stage. There are many ways to treat depression though none of them are particularly effective unless the depressed wants to help themselves. People close to them should encourage them and support them and make them want to clear their minds. Some drug therapy is available but isn’t advised unless the situation is very serious. Instead, transcranial magnetic stimulation and other depression treatments without drugs are prescribed. It is important for the people around the depressed person to be their support system and help build morale and give them the strength to handle it. Depression can never be eliminated, only kept at bay. Everyone involved has to consciously make an effort to be happy and not fall into the trap of depression again.