What works better to tackle depression?

Medication or counselling? Does it depend on the person, and the form of depression being suffered?

Most likely a combination of medication and counseling.

You can be evaluated by either a psychiatrist or psychologist however, a physiologist does not have a license to administer medication - They can only do consultation.

Psychiatrists can do both (counsel ling & give you medication) but in order to get a renewal of your prescription, you must go back to see your psychiatrist so that she/he can see how you are doing before they will renew your medication and/or change your medication if need be.

Depends on the depression. Clinical depression is a much different monster then depression the almost everone deals with at times. Unless you have suffered from it you cant even relate to it. Clinical depression is caused by the brain malfunctioning, so taking medications to correct that help a lot, and even more so with counseling as well. The typical depression that everyone deals with at times and is most often situational, is better treated with counseling. Medication will do little to nothing to help it since there is not the malfunction in the brain to corrct.

I think it depends on how depressed you are. If you are clinically depressed, as I was, a combination of medication and counciling work best. The medication helps to alleviate the symptoms of depression so that you can concentrate on the underlying issues during counciling. I don't believe that medication is intended to be a solution in itself, although many people do think of it that way. In order to get rid of depression, you need to address the issues in your life that caused it.

It depends and often the answer is a combination of the two. Depends on the person, the type of depression, the type of medication and the type of therapy! Most people spend some time searching around and trying different things before they find what works for them, and it is important that it is recognised that everyone is different in this respect.

I personally believe you need to talk to somebody, medication is just an excuse for drug-addicts. I don't mean to patronise you. Believe me, I was there.
Not so long ago i was a loner, and was constantly arguing with everyone I knew. I drew pictures of myself dead, in the hope of making myself feel better. The list of things goes on.
It's a rough spot in anybody's life. And believe me, EVERYBODY gets depressed. But believe me, sometimes all you need is a friend. Sometimes you don't even need a counsilllor.
Grab your best friend beside you and pour your heart out. I once was the sort of guy who thought there was no reason to tell anybody how I felt. Imagine the relief that came when I finally found that one friend, and poured my heart to him. It's a crazy feeling and I suggest you try that first, because if you cant tell a friend you wont trully get over it. You need to first accept there is nothing wrong with the way you're feeling.

Anyway, to answer your question, if that doesn't work, try councilling. They will decide if you need meds. Don't try to force the idea of meds on yourself. You dont need or want them, they'll turn you into a 'tard. And in your state, it WILL be meds that will turn you into an addict. Nobody wants that.

It really depends on the person as everyone is individual.. It could be a combination of things: exercise; diet; medication; counselling; group therapy; CBT etc.

See:

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...

Depression is the biggest symptom of suicide ,so the person should be observed , and given the best medication, and organise his life in a way that he will attend daily sessions at health centers, and should be treated as an out patient in mental hospitals

Medication can work short term but not longer term. The things that help tackle depression are counselling, or even talking to a friend, eat healthy, exercise, go out, Get into routine with ur sleeping. You also may not be depression u may just be down or stressed about family problems or work etc.

Hope this helps xx

Depression is caused by different things to different people so the help required will be vary from person to person. Cognitive therapy or counselling is very effective, sometimes with medication to help in the short term.

See a psychiatrist because you can get therapy and if they think you REALLY need it, they can give you medication.

:)


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Councelling works better because you're not depending on a pill to feel better.

Ultimately I would say councelling would be best for any person as a first step and the depression type would then be recognised and help offered.

Gardening apparently there is something in the soil that helps boost serotonin levels. Good old mother nature has an answer for everything!

I think both is the best way to battle depression. But if you cannot afford therapy or find the time to do it, antidepressants are a miracle drug.

keeping yourself occupied with other things. meet friends, but dont talk about the matter, play sports, games, movies, etc.. but dont think about the matter itself.

let me know if my answer is the best answer or not :)

It really does. I benefited more from couselling, but depending on the type of personality you have, you could hate this. I would suggest either trying both, or a mixture.

To be honest there is no firm answer here. Both can play a role in your recovery. Meditation techniques can also help.

If we knew the definite answer to your question there would be no controversy.

medication is usually suggested WITH counseling, not on it's own - but neither will work if you don't have the right one for your particular needs

it depends really on the person, but I have counselling and I've never taken anti-depressants but the counselling alone for me doesn't help my mood.

Find something to laugh about. There's always something funny

And here, watch this with an OPEN mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b1GKGWJb...

Counselling, because the happiness will come naturally, and everything will be off your chest.

Counselling, having good supportive humorous friends.

The best way is to exercise. it's actually IMPOSSIBLE to be depressed whilst you are exercising.

more likely its education over the other two.
you control how you feel and when you learn how to control this you will be happy

acc to me praying and meditation is the best and effective cure for deppression.

I think hugs and support work well.

i think you have answered the question for yourself !!!!!

If the depression is situational: (for example: bereavement) then counselling is best. If from other causes, such as mineral deficiencies, thyroid problems, medication, etc., those problems need to be addressed. ===================== ======================= ==================== ======================= Antidepressants work quicker than the following; 2 - 6 weeks, but you may have to adjust dosage, or types, whereas St. John's wort is effective for most people, and doesn't develop tolerance and the few side effects are rare, and usually not severe. It doesn't cause sexual dysfunction, sleeping problems, or weight change, but takes 4 - 6 weeks to become effective. A recent, independent German double blind study showed it to be as effective as Sertraline (marketed in the USA as Zoloft: a commonly prescribed antidepressant) in cases of major depression, with far fewer side effects, and those were generally better tolerated, with a lower rate of discontinuation. A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not St. John's wort, because of interactions, and it's sensible to check out anything else first with your doctor.

(1.) Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it.

(2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes minutes of exercise, daily, or 30 - 60 mns, 5 times weekly. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn't wanted when dealing with depression.

(3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain).

(4.) Use daily, one of the relaxation methods in sections 2, 2.c, 2.i, or 11, and/or yoga, Tai Chi, and/or the EFT, in sections 2.q, 2.o, and section 53, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris whichever works best for you.

(5.) Initially, at least, some form of counselling, preferably either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy.

(6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule, as per page Z.13, in section 2, at ezy build.

(7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John's wort, 900 mg (standardised hypericin content) 3 times daily, totalling around 2,700 mg, or supplements, such as SAMe, taken with a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin, or Inositol (from vitamin and health food stores, some supermarkets, or mail order: view section 55).

Also, 80% of people in the Western world have low magnesium levels, and these are known to cause depression & anxiety. Try the magnesium supplement types shown in http://www.real-depression-help.com/ Some of these will be available in pharmacies, or supermarkets.

An improvement can be noticed in as little as a week, if a deficiency is the cause. Also, iodised salt is preferable to regular salt. This is a shortened version of the much more comprehensive post, which may be seen on page Z.13, in section 2 of ezy build, above, but to gain full appreciation, it's really best to view the whole of section 2. ~~~ If you are already taking antidepressants, and want to use the wort, I suggest that you taper off the antidepressant, over at least 2 weeks, with medical advice as to how long to take, before beginning the wort.