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What Is Involved in Chronic Depression Treatment?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

Chronic depression treatment varies depending on how much the depression interferes with a person's life. If the depression is unmanageable and the patient is willing, medications can be taken. In many cases, psychotherapy is more commonly recommended as a first step to overcoming this type of long-term depression. Sometimes, a person who suffers from a very specific type of depression relating to an event or even the season may find success with other methods. Changes in eating habits, exercise, and even work can all be part of a person's treatment.

Most commonly, chronic depression treatment begins with psychotherapy. Talking with a therapist whom a person trusts can help develop better coping mechanisms and, if the depression is caused by a condition in someone's life, may allow that person to overcome depression by making specific changes. Psychotherapy can be very different depending on the therapist, but the patient's needs and wishes must always be at the center of treatment.

A doctor can prescribe medication to treat chronic depression.
A doctor can prescribe medication to treat chronic depression.

In many cases, people who are chemically depressed may not be suffering due to any specific life condition, but rather need help to rebalance the mind. Problematically, many people are opposed to the use of antidepressants because of the side effects they have and the way they affect personality. Unfortunately, when a person's mood disorder runs the risk of swinging into major depression, taking drugs may be the safest and best option. When medication is not considered an appropriate solution, therapy may focus on how to deal with the feelings of being depressed even while knowing that the problem is chemical and will therefore not likely go away.

An enjoyable hobby, like power walking, can help to alleviate chronic depression symptoms.
An enjoyable hobby, like power walking, can help to alleviate chronic depression symptoms.

Some types of treatment work for only specific kinds of depression. For example, some diseases have depression as a side effect, and resolving the underlying disorder can completely eradicate the depression. Many people suffer from seasonal depression and may benefit from light therapy. Treatment of problems like these is often less complex than solving depression without a source because a problem can be identified and explained to the patient.

Therapy is the center of treatment for chronic depression.
Therapy is the center of treatment for chronic depression.

While the center of most chronic depression treatment plans is therapy, making other changes can greatly reduce the impact of depression on a person's life. Getting exercise and eating healthier food, for example, can make a person feel better overall and can even result in attitude changes. Taking up a hobby or activity that is out of a person's normal daily routine can also be helpful with depression, but it can be difficult to get up the energy to try new things. Chronic depression treatment is an ongoing remedy for many people, as there is not often a single event that can fix it completely.

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    • A doctor can prescribe medication to treat chronic depression.
      By: Alexander Raths
      A doctor can prescribe medication to treat chronic depression.
    • An enjoyable hobby, like power walking, can help to alleviate chronic depression symptoms.
      By: Syda Productions
      An enjoyable hobby, like power walking, can help to alleviate chronic depression symptoms.
    • Therapy is the center of treatment for chronic depression.
      By: emiliau
      Therapy is the center of treatment for chronic depression.
    • Many people suffer from seasonal depression and may benefit from light therapy.
      By: ivolodina
      Many people suffer from seasonal depression and may benefit from light therapy.
    • Depressed people need to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet in order to ward off long-term depression.
      By: zea_lenanet
      Depressed people need to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet in order to ward off long-term depression.
    • Chronic depression afflicts more than three million people in the United States alone.
      By: Boyarkina Marina
      Chronic depression afflicts more than three million people in the United States alone.
    • A sudden life change, such as following a major injury, might cause chronic depression.
      By: joyb0218
      A sudden life change, such as following a major injury, might cause chronic depression.
    • Chronic depression often gets in the way of proper sleep.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Chronic depression often gets in the way of proper sleep.
    • Chronic depression treatment is not something that can cure depression overnight.
      By: stokkete
      Chronic depression treatment is not something that can cure depression overnight.
    • Feelings of angst and loneliness even in crowds can cause chronic depression.
      By: gemenacom
      Feelings of angst and loneliness even in crowds can cause chronic depression.
    • Childhood trauma may contribute to chronic depression.
      By: fasphotographic
      Childhood trauma may contribute to chronic depression.
    • Churches may host spiritually-based depression treatment programs.
      By: Magdalena Kucova
      Churches may host spiritually-based depression treatment programs.
    • Chronic depression is common for people undergoing treatment for a serious illness.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Chronic depression is common for people undergoing treatment for a serious illness.
    • Anti-depressants are often part of a depression treatment plan.
      By: ambrozinio
      Anti-depressants are often part of a depression treatment plan.
    • The affection of a pet can help with feelings of depression.
      By: Сергей Чирков
      The affection of a pet can help with feelings of depression.