The Most Effective Treatment for the Most Common Mental Health Issues
August 21, 2024
Understanding how different therapies can be used to treat various disorders is the first step in getting the help you or a loved one needs. Below I will discuss Depression, Trauma/PTSD and Panic Attacks/Panic Disorder, while diving into which therapies are most recommended for these diagnoses.
Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable to a person. It can affect how one thinks, feels and handles everyday activities. Depression is more than just temporarily feeling down; It is a serious medical condition that when left untreated can severely impact one’s life. Treatment often involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.
Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to help individuals identify negative thought patterns that contribute to their depression. It also helps them develop coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
Interpersonal Therapy: Interpersonal therapy dives into improving social skills and relationships to aid in alleviating depression symptoms.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on past experiences and how unconscious thoughts might influence current emotions and/or behaviors.
Medications
Antidepressants: There are many types of antidepressants including SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, and others. These medications adjust the neurotransmitters in the brain, therefore alleviating symptoms of depression. Since there are so many medications on the market for depression it is crucial to work with a psychiatrist or doctor to figure out the right medication and dose for you.
Trauma/PTSD
Trauma and PTSD are closely related and both refer to highly stressful situations or traumatic events. Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. These often include natural disasters, sexual assault, war, serious incidents, witnessing violence or death and sudden loss of loved ones. PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that often forms after witnessing a traumatic event. Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD. For PTSD or severe traumatic events treatment often includes medication or therapy and sometimes even a combination of both.
Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy focused on challenging negative thought patterns related to trauma. It can sometimes involve exposure therapy, but often used techniques like cognitive restructuring to change irrational thoughts.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR focuses on traumatic memories while using bilateral simulation like eye movements, taps and sounds to help digest and reframe those memories.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): Prolonged Exposure Therapy helps individuals comfort their fears by talking about trauma related memories, feelings and citations that have been avoided by the individual.
Medications
Antidepressants: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) are prescribed to help alleviate symptoms of PTSD, such as depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
Panic Attacks/Panic Disorder
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder are related terms in the fact that they both describe an intense period of fear or discomfort. They usually arise unexpectedly and suddenly. Panic Attacks are short periods of fear that reach a peak within minutes. Panic attacks can take place in many situations, but can also happen without any clear trigger or warning. Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent Panic Attacks. With this disorder it is often found that the individual stresses about the possibility of another panic attack as well. This can influence one’s lifestyle and often leads to avoidance of places where previous attacks or ‘triggers’ occur. Treatment for these diagnoses usually include a combination of therapies and sometimes benefits from medications as well.
Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy educates individuals on panic attacks and focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns.
Cognitive Restructuring: Cognitive restructuring challenges individuals’ irrational thoughts that contribute to panic attacks.
Medications
Antidepressants: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) increase serotonin in the brain and are prescribed to reduce the frequency of panic attacks.
Beta-Blockers: Beta Blockers are used to relieve symptoms of anxiety such as shaking and rapid heart beat.
Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines increase the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which is a chemical that helps individuals feel calm. They are sometimes used for short term acute anxiety, but have the risk of dependence.
For all of these disorders and diagnoses it is important to remember that keeping up with a healthy lifestyle like exercising, eating correctly, and maintaining good sleep can affect the outcome of treatments. There are also peer and support groups available for individuals who are going through similar experiences to further discuss and give the individual someone to relate to.
