If you're experiencing depression or depressive symptoms, seeking treatment promptly is crucial. Delaying can prolong the condition, but effective options exist tailored to your needs.
We consulted psychologist Merel Hovestad and Koko Beers, spokesperson for the Brain Foundation, to outline proven approaches.
"Treatment is customized to the individual's situation—minimal intervention when possible, intensive when needed," explains Koko Beers. Options include coaching, psychotherapy, medication, or combinations thereof.
Read also: How to recognize depression
These include self-help strategies, online e-health tools, guidance for daily activities, exercise, or sports.
Recommended for moderate to severe or recurrent depression, these therapies teach coping skills to manage symptoms and build resilience.
Neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine regulate mood. Antidepressants target these to alleviate anxiety and sadness, with decisions made in consultation with your doctor.
Read also: 'Thanks to my happy pills I am myself again'
For treatment-resistant depression, ECT is considered when antidepressants fail, especially in severe cases with delusions or severe malnutrition. Under anesthesia, a controlled seizure is induced, proving effective in 50-60% of suitable patients short-term. It's often a last resort for melancholic or psychotic depression, though its exact mechanism remains under study.
Psychologist Merel Hovestad integrates innovative methods like EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), or 'tapping' on acupuncture points while voicing fears to reduce emotional intensity. Mindfulness also shows promise, as detailed in the video below.
{{video poster=https://www.sante.nl/app/uploads/2019/02/depression.jpg src=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56VV6qbSRQ}}
Specialized treatments include light therapy for seasonal affective disorder.
Text: Jolien van der Kamp-Gielleit | Image: Shutterstock
