Depression is a chronic mental illness that does not go away on its own without treatment, as is commonly known. Depression treatment is necessary to ensure the patient’s safety and prevent the worsening of his condition. There are several options for depression treatment in Turkey. Follow us in this article to learn about it.
Since psychological depression affects the health of the entire body and lasts for a long period in the event of not receiving appropriate health care, psychological depression treatment must begin as soon as symptoms of depression appear in the affected person.
The specialist psychiatrist decides the most appropriate treatment according to the depressed patient’s condition. Here is the detailed answer: How can depression treatment be performed? What are the advantages of treating depression in Turkey?
How to treat psychological depression in Turkey
There are many methods and types of depression treatment, and the most appropriate one is chosen by a specialist psychiatrist. The doctor sets a treatment plan the patient will follow until he recovers. The most important methods of depression treatment are the following:
Depression treatment without medication
In some cases, medications can be dispensed at the beginning of the patient’s treatment, as he may show some improvement with non-drug methods, and this method is considered the best depression treatment without side effects. Depression treatment can be performed at home through the following:
Make changes to your lifestyle and way of thinking
A balanced person must maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect himself from mental and physical diseases, as a healthy mind resides in a healthy body.
Therefore, we advise all individuals who suspect depression to exercise regularly, improve sleep quality, eat a healthy, balanced diet, and stay away from stress.
They must also treat the onset of depression by learning thinking control skills and changing negative patterns of thinking to overcome depression.
Nutritional treatment for depression
The diet followed is one of the most important influences on a person’s mood. Studies have proven a strong correlation between what a person eats and his mood.
From here, the role of diet in depression treatment and improving an individual’s mood has emerged. The study concluded that mood can be improved by eating large amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil, low-fat dairy products, and antioxidants.
The study advised avoiding excessive consumption of red or processed meat, refined grains, sweets, high-fat dairy products, butter, potatoes, high-fat broth, and low intake of fruits and vegetables because these foods are associated with an increased risk of depression.
Phototherapy for depression
The phototherapy method treats seasonal depression, which occurs at the beginning of the fall or winter of each year due to shorter days, longer nights, and darkness.
Depression medications
There are many medications used for depression treatment, and the optimal medication is chosen based on the severity of the disease and its symptoms. The following are the most important types of medications used for depression treatment:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI): They are the most commonly used treatment for depression with fewer side effects, as they are considered the best medication for depression without noticeable side effects. The most important examples are fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa).
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA): Such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
The above are considered traditional medicines used as a treatment for depression and anxiety. There are also modern medications used for treatment, the most important of which are:
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Esketamine (Spravato)
- Maprotiline (Ludimil)
It is very important to consult a specialist doctor before taking any medication for depression because of its side effects, in addition to its interaction with several other medications. The most important condition in which a doctor should be consulted before taking these medications is pregnancy.
Doctors will provide the necessary advice and guidance based on the patient’s condition and medical history and thus prescribe the appropriate medications.
Psychotherapy sessions for depression
Also called talk therapy, it is used for mild psychological depression treatment. This is done in the psychological clinic, where the psychiatrist conducts a dialogue with the patient with the aim of teaching him how to deal with events that occur in his life and affect his mood. Psychotherapy sessions for depression in Turkey include several methods and techniques aimed at getting rid of depression before using medications, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression (CBT): It focuses on changing behavioral patterns, reducing negative thoughts and false beliefs that affect mood and mood, and teaching the patient skills to deal with negative thoughts and negative feelings.
- Dialogue therapy: It focuses on exploring past events and experiences that may have led to the occurrence of the disease, analyzing them, and changing the negative perception of them.
- Group therapy: involves participating in group sessions with other patients suffering from the same problem, where experiences and mutual support are exchanged.
It is important to consult a specialist doctor to evaluate the patient’s condition and determine the most appropriate treatment method.
Depression treatment with ECT in Turkey
Electroconvulsive therapy is considered one of the most important methods of treating serious psychological disorders if the patient does not respond to drug and psychological treatment, and it is the best treatment for severe depression.
Its importance is especially important for pregnant women and the elderly due to their inability to take antidepressant medications. In addition, it is important to treat cases refractory to medication. Electrotherapy in Turkey is a very safe and effective method. The psychiatrist decides which people can use this treatment method.
During this procedure, the patient is anesthetized for 5 to 10 minutes. Two electrodes are placed on the head, and small electric currents are passed through them for a few seconds. The depressed patient does not convulse, does not feel anything, and wakes up after 10 minutes. The patient usually undergoes 8 sessions of electrotherapy within 2-3 weeks.
It is necessary to resort to this method as an emergency treatment if the patient reaches the stage of suicidal ideation. Contact us to learn more information about electroconvulsive therapy in Turkey (ECT).
Harmful effects of depression treatment
Depression treatment is usually safe and effective. Still, some side effects or harm may occur in some cases, especially if the patient does not adhere to the instructions of his psychiatrist. Among the side effects of depression treatment:
- Increased anxiety or other psychological disturbances
- Weight gain or loss of appetite
- Digestive disorders such as constipation or diarrhea
- Physical side effects such as dizziness or headache
- Increased risk of suicide in some cases
- Blurred vision
- Confusion and irritability quickly
- Difficulty urinating
- Sleepiness
- Dry mouth, Which can cause tooth decay in the long term
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Hallucinations
The patient must consult a doctor before starting any treatment for depression and talk to him about any side effects he may experience during the treatment period.
Benefits of depression treatment in Turkey
Turkey is considered one of the leading medical destinations in the world, especially in the field of psychiatry, as it offers many benefits for depression treatment, including:
- High-quality medical facilities: Turkey is characterized by advanced medical facilities equipped with the latest technologies and medical devices, which help provide high-quality medical care for depression patients.
- Opportunities for specialized treatment: Turkey provides opportunities to obtain specialized behavioral and social-psychological treatment for people suffering from depression.
- Low treatment costs: The cost of depression treatment in Turkey is much lower than in America and Europe, making it an attractive treatment destination with its low-cost medical and non-medical services.
- Encouraging environment: Turkey provides a comfortable environment for patients that helps them recover from depression.
- Opportunities for integrative therapy: Patients in Turkey can benefit from all integrative treatment methods, including yoga, meditation, and energy therapy, which can help improve their psychological state.
We seek to make the depression treatment in Turkey effective and beneficial for patients, and we provide everything we can to contribute to improving their quality of life and mental health and to spare them the risks and complications of depression.
Complications of depression
If appropriate treatment is not received and symptoms of depression worsen, the patient’s condition may deteriorate and other complications may appear, such as:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Deterioration of social and work relationships
- Increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Increased risk of suicide
- Job performance has declined severely
- Increased risk of drug or alcohol addiction
The possibility of these complications underscores the importance of depression treatment in the most appropriate and effective way in cooperation with a specialized medical team. Contact us to obtain a free medical consultation and understand the details of treatment. Our medical team will accompany you step by step and guide you to the best psychiatrists in order to treat depression in Turkey at the cheapest possible costs.
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