Treating Depression & Anxiety Disorder
There are two primary approaches to beginning treatment for anxiety disorders or depression. It is theorized that these mental conditions can be caused by 1) prolonged misuse of our own thoughts and behaviors or 2) by a chemical imbalance or some other biological malfunction in our brains. So, in order to reverse the conditions, one would hope he could repair biological or brain chemical balances and also learn how to practice healthy thinking and behaviors.
Fixing chemical imbalances
You've probably heard about the neurotransmitters seratonin, dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Researchers believe the chemical imbalances most responsible for depression are seratonin and norepinephrine. Doctors often prescribe drugs known as SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to manipulate the amount of these neurotransmitters available for use in the brain. The most common ones in the United States are Zoloft, Lexapro & Prozac. You can read and learn more about drugs for depression.
I view these medications as bandaids for an underlying problem. The fact of the matter is, if there is a chemical imbalance, there must be a cause for it. Researchers have been thus far unsuccessful in identifying one underlying cause. It is understandable given the complexity of the human brain.
They do not yet fully understand how the brain works. Possible underlying causes could be things like genetic defects, genetic mutations, brain damage caused by pollutants, deficiencies in some basic nutrient or mineral or a result of the brain's ability to rewire itself. Maybe they will one day discover that these changes are a natural part of evolution. Maybe one or all of these are legitimate underlying causes in some individual cases. Who knows?
I challenge people who are capable, to examine their own lives for possible underlying causes. Read as much as you can about your symptoms. Everytime you learn something new about it, think about how it might apply to your situation. People who are incapable of focussing on something this complex should really consult a physician.
A physician can help you sample some of the popular drugs in an effort to find one that works for you.
Treating psychological aspects
The other part of treating someone with mental disorders deals with treating the person's thought process and behaviors. Depending on how it is adressed and by whom it is administered it may be referred to as counseling, psychotherapy or cognitive therapy. There are ongoing arguments in the scientific community as to which method is most affective. Experts aren't even sure if the cause of anxiety disorders or depression is related to the biological aspects of the human brain or something that is learned overtime through repeating destructive thought processes.
I would argue that both are potential causes depending on each person's circumstances. Each method of treatment is affective to verying degrees depending on the person's circumstances as well.
A person undergoing some type of therapy is usually asked to attend a number of sessions with their therapist over a period of time. That period of time depends on the severety of the disorder as well as how well the patient responds to treatment. It may take place over a period of months or years. Some therapists like to see patients for maintenance sessions several times per year even after the treatmet has succeeded. Often times, a person will be treated with medication in addition to therapy. The combined approach usually shows good results.