Effective Mental Health Treatment Plan For Depression

What are the general methods used to treat depression, and what side effects do they have?

The general methods used to treat depression in the acute phase, as well as many other behavioral health conditions, are talk therapy and medications. They will likely be a part of your treatment program. Talk therapy (for example, cognitive behavioral therapy) usually has minimal physical side effects but can sometimes bring up difficult emotions during sessions. Antidepressant medications (like SSRIs or SNRIs) can help restore brain chemical balance but may cause side effects such as nausea, weight changes, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, or insomnia. Your mental illness treatment plan should be personalized to you to an extent. For many people, medication can assist in getting back into a healthy life. 

What types of depression are there?

There are many types of depression. Some of them include:

• Major depression

• Dysthymia

• Bipolar disorder

• Seasonal affective disorder

• Postpartum depression

A person with depression may have single-episode depression or recurrent depression. For one to be diagnosed with a major depressive episode, symptoms must be present nearly every day for at least two weeks. Symptoms of depression may include:

• Feelings of hopelessness or sadness

• Persistent depressed mood

• Angry outbursts and irritability over small matters

• Loss of interest in normal activities

• Sleep problems, including insomnia or too many hours of sleep

• Tiredness or lack of energy

• Change in appetite—either reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain

• Unexplained physical symptoms (such as headaches, back pain, or stomachaches)

• Substance use

• Psychotic features like delusions and hallucinations (in cases of psychotic depression)

If you believe you have symptoms of depression or another behavioral health condition, talk to a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Inquire about mental health illness treatment rooted in evidence-based research. Feel free to ask them as many questions as you need to understand the symptoms of depression, your behavioral health status, your diagnosis, and the treatment planning process. A strong therapeutic alliance is invaluable to the treatment process. It’s important to establish clear treatment goals and understand and agree with your treatment program. Ask your healthcare provider questions so you feel comfortable with your mental health illness treatment. 

Your treatment program may include support groups. Support groups can be particularly helpful in the case of a behavioral health issue because support groups bring you together with people going through similar experiences to provide emotional support and coping resources. Having a good support system is important for depression, so do what you can to build up your support system.

Family therapy can also be helpful if you want to improve communication in your family or if you want your family to be able to have a better support system. If you already have regular talk therapy, ask if they are also equipped to do family therapy.

If you have issues with alcohol or drugs, your treatment will likely include treatment for that. Substance use disorders can be common in people with mental illness. People who have mental illnesses and substance use disorders have a dual diagnosis. It’s common for a treatment program to address both parts of a dual diagnosis at the same time.

If you believe you are dealing with substance use disorders, reach out to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They will make a strategic course of action to address this. You may receive treatment at a national center. You may also look to a national center for additional resources. 

Why is a treatment plan important?

An individualized treatment plan helps the patient reach their recovery goals. Treatment plans are important because they can take your entire health into the picture. A treatment plan can help monitor progress and may set goals for you to follow. They can be a collaboration between you and your mental health team.

A treatment plan will depend on the type of condition a patient has. Further, the treatment plan must be individualized. For example, even if two patients both have more severe depression, their treatment plans may not be the same since they may have varying experiences, treatment responses, and other factors. Also, treatment plans must be reachable. For example, targeting the total elimination of moderate major depression symptoms within 2 weeks may not be a feasible outcome. Treatment plans must be achievable within a reasonable time frame. 

Who needs cognitive behavioral therapy?

Many people can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective, according to evidence-based research. It can be particularly helpful for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. CBT helps you to learn how to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthy ones. It has proven to be effective for many different types of mental illnesses. Cognitive restructuring, problem-solving, systematic exposure, behavioral activation, guided discovery, and other CBT techniques may help boost mood and well-being.

CBT can also help alleviate symptoms of depression. Through CBT, the therapist may help patients with depression identify and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. Some helpful CBT techniques include reframing, problem-solving therapy, journaling, exposure therapy, and behavioral activation. The use of CBT can vary depending on the severity of the symptoms. CBT can be the first-line treatment or adjunctive treatment for mild depression, moderate depression, and recurrent depression. A therapist may also use CBT as an adjunctive treatment for severe depression. The American Psychological Association recommends CBT as one of the interventions for depression in their clinical guidelines. 

Why is it important for a client to be involved in their course of treatment for depression?

Whether the case is mild depression, moderate depression, or severe depression, client involvement in the treatment plan is invaluable. This shared decision-making helps make sure that the treatment plan aligns with the client’s goals and values.

Your treatment should reflect what is happening in your life and how you want to grow, and it serves as a way to hold yourself accountable. It should fit into your overall treatment program.

What is a barrier some people face when seeking mental health treatment?

Common barriers to seeking mental health treatment include:

• Thinking your mental illness is not severe enough

• Fear of stigma

• Negative experiences or attitudes toward treatment

• Lack of affordability and availability

What questions do therapists ask their clients?

Therapists ask various open-ended questions to understand their clients' situations and encourage clients to share their feelings and thoughts. For example, they may ask, “Could you describe the symptoms you are experiencing?” or “Are there specific things that trigger a depressive episode?” 

You can also find some common questions here. Once you’re more established, you’ll likely drive a lot of what your therapy is about.

If you have a child you want to prepare for therapy, you may consider using the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources for how to support the mental health and well-being of children and is a national center. The Center of Excellence for Infant and Childhood Health Consultation has additional resources for mental health and school readiness and is also a national center. 

What are some mental health strategies for depression and bipolar disorder?

You might try keeping a consistent daily routine—sleep, meals, and activity at similar times. Talking with a counselor or joining a group therapy or peer support group can offer fresh perspectives. Tracking your mood in a journal may help you notice patterns, and small actions like short walks or checking in with a friend can lift your spirits on harder days.

Depression (e.g., mild depression, moderate depression, severe depression) and bipolar disorder are serious mental conditions. Anyone can develop them, but high-risk individuals may include those with a family history of mood disorders, trauma, and certain medical conditions. If you see the warning signs in yourself or a loved one, contact your primary care provider or reach out to a mental health professional. 

What are the best treatment options for depression?

The best treatment plan for improving symptoms of depression can vary depending on the severity of the symptoms, response to treatment, and other factors. Typically, the initial treatment for mild depression is psychotherapy. Talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy can give you tools to shift unhelpful thoughts. Medications may help rebalance neurotransmitters, though they’re not for everyone. Often, mental health professionals use a combination therapy, such as the combination of talk therapy and medication, when developing a treatment plan for mild depression, moderate depression, or severe depression. To improve functioning during depressive episodes, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep habits could make any treatment more effective. 

Some cases of major depression have severe symptoms that are resistant to standard treatment. ECT and other somatic treatments may be helpful whenever other treatments are found to be ineffective in reducing depressive symptoms. ECT may be included in a treatment plan for severe depression, including cases with psychotic features and suicidal thoughts. 

Some patients may require partial hospitalization, while others may require multidisciplinary team involvement (e.g., psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and therapists). Since the severity of symptoms can vary in children, adolescents, and adults, treatment plans should be individualized to achieve the best outcomes. Depression is treatable. According to the American Psychiatric Association, between 70 and 90 percent of people respond positively to treatment. 

What is a treatment plan with no adverse side effects for mental health?

A non-medication plan to improve mood and depressive symptoms could include supportive therapy, regular therapy sessions, group therapy, mindfulness or meditation practices, gentle exercise like yoga or walking, a nutrient-rich diet, and nurturing social connections. Other helpful coping skills include practicing positive self-talk, following a healthy sleep routine, journaling, engaging in pleasant activities, and challenging negative thoughts. You may also try guided self-help, such as an online course for CBT. These approaches can support your mood without introducing medication side effects.

It is worth mentioning that seeking treatment without side effects may be possible. However, medications are sometimes needed if symptoms significantly impact the patient’s life. Mental health care professionals may recommend a combination of psychotherapy and medication for moderate depression or severe depression (e.g., depression with psychotic features). An in-depth discussion with a mental health professional is important for weighing the risks and benefits of taking medication.

If someone you know is experiencing severe major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or other mental health challenges, expressing concern, like acknowledging their feelings, helping them cope, and urging them to contact a primary care provider or a therapist, may help significantly improve their well-being.