Major Depression Treatment: Progress Seen in the Treatment of Depression
The loss of interest in participating in day-to-day activities may occur gradually or unexpectedly at any place and time to any person because of shifts in mood, according to reports quoting psychology journals. A person who has experienced a great loss may run into such changes in his feelings. This is what men and women with depression go through as the disease progresses. Factors that could influence the development of depression may be determined because anybody can acquire it. Although pregnancy is a time of joy, depression may haunt these expecting women. Cases of birth defects found in Pennsylvania show that complications may arise when antidepressants are used during pregnancy.
Depression-related data obtained by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM) shows that major depression among adults starts at the average age of 32 years old. Using antidepressants is now common among various age groups. The aim of most therapists and psychologists is to understand depression and facilitate better treatment. Across age brackets, different treatments were employed to relieve people from those severe low moods.
Depression was first called melancholia, according to research. The people who were afflicted by this illness were miserable. Researchers also believe that the disease may manifest in many different forms. During the ancient times, depressed men and women were isolated because they were thought to be possessed by demons. Some time during in the 18th century, the first institution for mood disorders was constructed and treatment for depression was employed.
Many institutions were built before proper treatments were given to these depressed individuals. It was during the start of the 20th century when medications were found to be useful among persons suffering from depression. Other treatment, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is now used less frequently due to the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) among patients with mood disorders.
Over the past decade, SSRIs have gained much popularity since their introduction in the 80s. The public has accepted the fact that treating depression would require the use of antidepressants and this has greatly contributed to the popularity of antidepressants. It was found to be effective and it is even marketed to different age groups. SSRIs are even prescribed to pregnant women experiencing major depression because it is thought to be safer than previous formulations. People remain alarmed over the Zoloft side effects that were reported.
The alleged Zoloft birth defects inflicted upon newborns of mothers who took this antidepressant while pregnant stirred a cause for concern to those who have been prescribed by the same drug. Read further to learn more.
different types of treatment – treatments.
Tags: major depression, mental health, national institute of mental health