All about ECT - Electroconvulsive Therapy - for Depression Treatment

What is ECT?Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which a brief application of electric stimulus is used to produce a generalized seizure.  It is not known how or why ECT works or what the electrically stimulated seizure does to the brain.  In the U.S. during the 1940’s and 50’s, the treatment was administered mostly to people with severe mental illnesses.  During the last few decades, researchers have been attempting to identify the effectiveness of ECT, to learn how and why it works, to understand its risks and adverse side effects, and to determine the best treatment technique.  Today, ECT is administered to...

Effectiveness of Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Approaches

Many modern practitioners claim that psychoanalytic or psychodynamic approaches in the treatment of depression have little research to support their use at this time. It is widely acknowledged that while most therapists may make use of psychodynamic theoretical constructs to help conceptualize an individual’s personality or specific case, it is likely that applied approaches in these areas are ineffective and should be avoided.However, multiple recent researches provide a serious supportive data that the long-term psychoanalytic or psychodynamic approaches may offer deeper treatment for the “underground” depression causes, than more accepted...

Interpersonal Therapy: Proven Anti-Depression Treatment

What Is Interpersonal Therapy?Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a type of treatment for patients with depression which focuses on past and present social roles and interpersonal interactions. During treatment, the therapist generally chooses one or two problem areas in the patient's current life to focus on. Examples of areas covered are disputes with friends, family or co-workers, grief and loss and role transitions, such as retirement or divorce.IPT does not attempt to delve into inner conflicts resulting from past experiences. Rather it attempts to help the patient find better ways to deal with current problems.Historical BackgroundIPT has...

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Proven Anti-Depression Treatment

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most popular and commonly used therapy for depression treatment. Hundreds of research studies have been conducted which verify its safety and effectiveness in treating this disorder. Modern cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was developed independently by two separate individuals: Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist, and Albert Ellis, a clinical psychologist. Both Beck and Ellis began working on their versions of the therapy in and around the late 1950s and early 60s. Both versions of the therapy are founded on the single basic idea that cognition, in the form of thoughts and preconceived judgments, precedes and determines...

Overview of Treatment Approaches for Clinical Depression

First of you should be aware that depression, even in the most severe forms, is a highly treatable disorder. However, as with many mental illnesses, the earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is and the greater the likelihood that recurrence can be prevented.There are several valid reasons for seeking and obtaining treatment for depression:The treatment can result in health improvements that would not occur otherwise.The treatment is likely to result in quicker recovery.The treatment can result in a more complete recovery, with fewer leftover symptoms.The treatment can help to prevent relapse.The...

May Alcohol Trigger Genetic Marker for Depression?

Alcohol and DepressionAccording to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a depressive disorder “interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her.” Depression is a brain disorder and although research is still being conducted to determine the exact causes, the NIMH states “it likely results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors.  ”Alcohol is a well-known depressant drug, which means it relaxes the body and causes a person’s reaction time and mood to be altered through slowing down the central...