31 Mar 3 Alternate Approaches to Depression Nonpharmacologic Treatments
In recent years, the concept and consideration of mental health has become incredibly prevalent in the public discourse. One field in particular revolves around depression nonpharmacologic treatments, with some effective turnaround as a result.
Now, more than ever, people are looking at ways of stabilising and approaching their mental health in a constructive and well-thought out manner. There is a particular hesitance associated with medicating and the inherent dangers presented with over-medicating for mental ailments. This is why it’s important to look at an alternative depression nonpharmacologic treatment that can assist and alleviate without the necessity of chemical intervention.
Here are three of the more realistic depression nonpharmacologic treatments that have garnered some attention by the medical community and sufferers around the world.
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
As far as depression nonpharmacologic treatments go, cognitive behavioural therapy is certainly one of the champions in the conversation surrounding mental health therapies. Psychotherapists have always recommended the method as a first response before pharmaceuticals are even considered for a number of reasons.
The basis for the approach stems from therapeutic conversations with a professional leading to differential behaviour changes. This can then facilitate a positive change in the patient’s perspective and approach to problems that may trigger certain episodes and bouts. It’s a more focused version of counselling and has empirical evidence of success in particular for younger sufferers.
The focus on success in younger people is a principal reason for its inclusion – as there are many calls for depression nonpharmacological treatments be further explored and encouraged in lieu of exposing younger people to a substance dependent plan.
2. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
When we say alternative approaches to depression nonpharmacologic treatments, we do mean alternative. This sounds more like science fiction than a discernible option, but there is plenty of science support this channel of depression nonpharmacologic treatments and it can be a consideration when traditional means are exhausted.
It’s a non-invasive therapy that involves the use of magnets to stimulate nerve cells and areas of the brain linked to mood stabilisation, effectively activating and resetting the parameters to manage mood swings and episodes.
This is an inclusion over the better-known Electroconvulsive Therapy due to the minimised invasiveness in comparison. The electro alternative, while effective in some, is still a relative unknown for its long-term effects on the brain and involves inducing seizures in order to achieve efficacy.
3. Dietary Supplements
One of the most common depression nonpharmacologic treatments involves no medication at all, with typical therapy sessions with psychotherapists involving a discussion on everyday life and diet, there can be a strong connection found between diet and mental health. The increased intake of certain natural occurring vitamins have marked boosts in viability and mood for sufferers of diminished mental health.
This can also be extended to the introduction of certain supplements that have been tested and used as depression nonpharmacologic treatments to great success. St Johns Wort has been touted as one such herbal extract that has performed well with patients, however this is with careful planning as it can react negatively with other medications that a patient can be taking simultaneously.
Still, the general increase in a healthier diet and the careful introduction of proven supplements have raised the bar for depression nonpharmacologic treatments as it can be achieved with very little effort, to great effect.
There will always be severe cases where medical intervention is a requirement for the health of a patient, however, now more than ever, there are a rising tide of alternative depression nonpharmacologic treatments that negate the need for unnecessary pharmaceutical intervention.