The mood disorder that can cause sadness and disinterest in almost everything is known as depression. It can lead to a lot of physical and emotional issues. If left untreated, it can lead to the patient not being able to see any point in living, or worse. This mood condition can be treated with the right medication if diagnosed correctly.

Treatment for depression

In most cases, people with depression can find help from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professionals. If required, patients are prescribed medications that can help fight the condition.

Below is a list of some antidepressants that are known to be effective:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  This is a very safe form of antidepressant. It is prescribed by most doctors because this medicine does not have many side effects.
• Tricyclic antidepressants
  This type of antidepressant is prescribed only if aforementioned medication is not helpful. It has some side-effects, some of which can be serious.
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  This is another effective type of medicine that the patient can use. The most common ones are venlafaxine (Effexor XR), duloxetine (Cymbalta), levomilnacipran (Fetzima), and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq).
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  This one is offered by doctors in case other medicines fail to help. There are severe side-effects associated with this medicine and it requires dietary restrictions. The patient will not be able to consume certain pickles and cheese during the time they are taking this medicine.
• Other medicines
  Along with the antidepressants, the doctor may also prescribe other medicines like anti-anxiety, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and antipsychotic pills.

Self-care to treat depression

Even though it is recommended that the patient seek medical help to treat depression, there are certain other things that they can try by themselves too. Self-care is an important aspect of treating the condition.

• The mood disorder can destroy the structure of the patient’s life. It is important that they follow a daily routine to cope with that.
• This condition is known for making the patient believe that they cannot achieve anything in life. They can fight this feeling by setting small goals for themselves and trying to meet them.
• Regularly exercising can help the sufferer rewire their brain to bring positivity into their life. Exercising also makes the body release endorphins, which will make them feel happy.
• People with mood disorders tend to overeat and that can lead to more complications. The patient should follow a healthy diet and add food items that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Some pieces of evidence suggest that it can fight the condition.
• Getting enough sleep every day is also very important to fight depression as it can disrupt the patient’s sleeping pattern. It is essential to go to bed and wake up at the same time so it becomes a routine.
• To fight this mood disorder, it is important to work mentally and challenge negative thoughts whenever they enter the mind.

It is important for the patient to not ignore the signs of depression, irrespective of how small it may seem. It is vital that they seek professional help as soon as possible once they notice them.