What to do about depression?

Depression is the most common mental illness. Many patients with depression will have suicidal tendencies. Therefore, once these mental illnesses are discovered, they must be treated with attention. Some antidepressant drugs can be used, or psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment methods can be used. Of course, nutritional supplements should also be paid attention to in the diet.

1. Antidepressants

Antidepressants are prescription medicines that relieve symptoms of depression. Researchers estimate that approximately 50% to 60% of depression patients can be controlled and relieved through medication. At present, it mainly includes two types: Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Western medicine mainly includes tricyclic antidepressants, such as paroxetine and mianserin, which can quickly suppress depression, but cannot eliminate the root cause and are more likely to relapse. As for traditional Chinese medicine, with the development of Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of depression has also begun to emerge, such as Zhang Jiqingshen. In short, at present, the most effective way to treat depression is to use a combination of Western medicine and Chinese medicine.

2. Non-drug therapy

Psychotherapeutic or "talk" therapies, including cognitive/behavioral therapy, individual therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and supportive psychotherapy, are often used to treat depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and a more recently developed alternative to ECT, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive magnetic stimulation outside the brain, can both be offered as effective treatments to severely ill patients.

3. Nutrition and diet therapy

Research has found that food significantly affects brain behavior. Diet is the most common cause of depression, for example, poor eating habits and frequent snacking. The nerve impulse transmitters in our brain that control our behavior are affected by the food we eat. Dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and norepinephrine are all substances that transmit nerve impulses. When the brain secretes 5-HT, it is in a resting and relaxed state. When dopamine and norepinephrine are secreted, we tend to think faster, move more quickly, and be more alert.