The category of alternative treatments for depression includes both time-tested techniques – some of which have been practiced for centuries – and emerging, evidence-based approaches.
Traditional Depression Treatment
Traditionally, treatment for depression has involved medication and therapy.
Patients who receive psychiatric medication to ease their symptoms have a variety of options, including:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
The therapeutic component of depression treatment usually includes several types of therapeutic services, such as:
- Individual, group, and family sessions
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
For many patients, medication and therapy are the keys to minimized symptoms and improved quality of life. Unfortunately, many others don’t experience the relief they had hoped for via these approaches.
Patients who haven’t responded to traditional interventions may be best served by alternative treatments for depression, either as standalone services or as elements of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Alternative Treatments for Depression
Some alternative treatments for depression require continuous professional oversight, while others are designed for patients to engage with on their own, in the course of their daily lives.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Commonly referred to as TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that may be associated with symptoms of depression and some other mental health concerns.
- During a TMS session, a magnetic coil is placed on the patient’s scalp, usually near their forehead.
- This coil emits electromagnetic pulses that penetrate the patient’s skull and reach a few centimeters into their brain.
- When the electromagnetic pulses reach the patient’s brain, they can promote greater neural activity, which can alleviate depressive symptoms.
TMS is a safe, noninvasive procedure that does not require sedation or any other medications. Patients remain awake and alert throughout the entire procedure, and can usually resume all normal activities after their session is over.
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy has proved to be quite effective at helping people whose depression symptoms had not responded to other interventions. The two general types of ketamine therapy are:
- Spravato treatment: Spravato is the brand name of a medication that contains a ketamine variant called esketamine. Patients self-administer Spravato via nasal spray under the supervision of their doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
- Ketamine infusions: This service involves the intravenous (IV) administration of ketamine. A typical session lasts about 40 minutes. Patients usually attend five to 10 ketamine infusion sessions over a period of about a month.
Spravato has earned approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in depression treatment, while doctors who offer ketamine infusions use the medication on an off-label basis.
Expressive Arts Therapy
Expressive arts therapy is a type of experiential therapy. Unlike traditional talk therapy, experiential therapies are dynamic, hands-on activities. The category of expressive arts therapy includes:
- Music therapy, which can involve playing, listening to, and discussing various forms of music
- Art therapy, which can include drawing, painting, sculpture, and related endeavors
- Drama therapy
- Dance therapy
Expressive arts therapies can provide patients with new ways to articulate their struggles, process their experiences, and manage stress.
Holistic Therapies
Unlike approaches that focus on specific symptoms or potential causes of depression, holistic therapies address the full person, with the goal of helping them heal in mind, body, and spirit. Examples of holistic therapies that are often incorporated into depression treatment include:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
- Qi gong
- Reiki
- Biofeedback
- Neurofeedback
Music therapy, expressive arts therapy, nutrition education, and therapeutic exercise also fall under the umbrella of holistic therapies.
Nutrition and Exercise
Following a nutritious diet and getting an appropriate amount of regular activity aren’t clinical services, but they can be extremely beneficial to people who have been living with depression and certain other mental health concerns.
- Sometimes referred to as nutritional psychiatry, the study of how food affects mood has revealed that a healthy diet can lower a person’s risk of depression.
- An “overwhelming majority” of studies on exercise and depression indicate that frequent physical activity can lead to a long-term easing of depressive symptoms.
The good news is that you don’t have to commit to a daily gym regimen to reap the mental health benefits of exercise. Research suggests that activities such as walking for 20-40 minutes a few days per week can have a positive effect on depressive symptoms.
Learn More About Depression Treatment in Nashville
Nashville Treatment Solutions offers customized outpatient programming for adults who have been living with depression and other mental health conditions. We also provide dual diagnosis treatment services for patients whose mental health concerns are accompanied by co-occurring substance use disorders (addictions).
At our depression treatment center in Nashville, Tennessee, you can expect to receive comprehensive care and close personal support from a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals. Depending on your specific needs and goals, your care at Nashville Treatment Solutions may include a combination of traditional and alternative services.
We understand that every person who develops a depressive disorder is impacted in a unique manner, and we are committed to providing you with a truly personalized experience while you are in our care. Then, as you prepare to transition out of treatment, we will develop an individualized discharge plan to ensure you are connected with the resources that can support your continued recovery.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
