Counselors, psychologists, and therapists can offer therapy to people who have depression. But a psychiatrist is the only mental health expert who can prescribe medication to treat mental illnesses. If you are dealing with depression, you may be confused about the right person to seek help from. Although p.s. psychiatry can include drug prescriptions, a psychiatrist can treat depression without using antidepressants or refer you to somebody who can.
Approaches that Psychiatrists Can Use for Treating Depression
Depending on your specific situation, healthy life changes and talk therapy can treat your depression. Read on to learn more about these approaches:
- Psychotherapy. A psychiatrist can address depression with psychotherapy or talk therapy. You may attend a weekly session that can last from 30 minutes to an hour. While a lot of psychiatrists can administer psychotherapy and prescribe medication, some of them only handle the prescription and refer patients to a therapist or psychologist. Psychotherapy approaches include psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.
- Lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes may also be recommended to help patients with depression manage their condition. For example, regular exercises can help boost endorphin production, improving the mood of the patient and consuming a diet full of folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, doctors may suggest that patients spend time indoors to be exposed to natural sunlight increasing serotonin levels and vitamin D. Often, the treatment involves helping them learn coping skills and set reasonable goals.
When Medication is Necessary
Although medication is not necessary for some people with depression, patients who have serious depression should work with a psychiatrist to know the best treatment plan for them. Those who are taking antidepressants should consult with a doctor before they stop and try alternative treatment. Patients must keep in mind that depression can be life-threatening and can lead to suicide. Those who consistently have suicidal thoughts or tend to engage in self-harming behaviors must need medication to increase the production of some brain neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and serotonin.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medication for depression, but this mental health condition can be addressed without using drugs. Those who have depression can attend psychotherapy sessions and make lifestyle changes to fight their condition. Although treatment is possible without relying on antidepressants, the case of every patient is unique. Those who have depression should visit a mental health expert like a psychiatrist to know how to best cope with the disorder.
