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| DEPRESSION
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Q:
What is the treatment of depression?
A:
Treatment of depression depends on 3 major factors : -
- Treatment
of acute episode.
- Prevention
of recurrence.
- Rehabilitation.
It
can also be divided into drug therapy and non-drug therapy.
Drug
therapy : - They are known as antidepressants.
There are several groups of antidepressants available. Their side
effects vary. The older drugs cause dryness of mouth, constipation,
blurring of vision and cause an adverse effect on the heart. The
newer drugs have lesser side effects but may cause acidity, restlessness
and loss of sleep.
Non-drug
treatment : - It consist of cognitive therapy where
the patients mind frame is changed so that the patients does not
respond to stress or any other negative influence with depression.
In children, family therapy may be an essential part of depression.
A functionally broken home breeds mental dysfunction in children.
The child may feel in secure, misunderstood and not taken cared
for. This might prompt the child to become rebellious.
Advice
to parents : -
- Child
sees the parents as one unit. Any breakup may lead to insecurity.
The parents should not have any dispute in presence of children
and it should be settled before it percolates down to the children.
- Avoid
conflicting instructions.
- "PRACTICE
WHAT YOU PREACH AND PREACH WHAT YOU PARCTICE".
- Don’t
do what you would not accept your child doing like smoking,
drinking, quarreling.
- Set
an example to children through personal behavior.
PREVENTION
OF RECURRENCE : -
To
prevent recurrence of depression, mood stabilizer drugs like lithium,
Carbamzepine, Na Valproate, Lamotrigine and other newer antiepileptics
may be given for a long time. They should always be given under
a doctor’s guidance. Thyroid hormones may also be used in
treatment of resistant depression.
REHABILITATION
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Always
follow the policy of start low & go-slow. The patients should
engage in neutral, non-stressing environments, sports. The patient
should not be a loner and should not bottle emotions. Guilt and
negative emotions should be resolved.
See
also "Depression
in adolescents"
Last
created on 03-05-2001
Last
updated on 03-05-2001
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