Among all the mental and physical illnesses, depression is one of the toughest to treat. Over 38 million Americans are struggling with depression. The numbers are on the rise. According to the WHO, by 2030, the amount of life lost and disability caused by depression will be greater than that from accidents, war, stroke, cancer, or any other health condition. While there are over 26 different antidepressants available to deal with depression, only a third of patients experience a full remission after treatment.

Can Depression Be Cured?

It mainly depends on the severity of your depressive symptoms. How persistent they are will also have an impact on how easy it is to treat your depression. Always reach out for help because your doctor will determine the severity of your condition and help determine the best course of treatment.

Your doctor may also help you make certain lifestyle changes and recommend talk therapy to treat mild depression. The combination of medication and therapy may improve the chances of recovering from depression.

How Long Will It Take to Recover from Depression?

You usually require treatment for at least nine months for completely remission. There is no specific end-point of treatment defined yet. Stop treatment only when you do not experience any symptoms for at least two months, especially if you have had an acute first episode.

For anyone with chronic depression, it is important to receive treatment for at least a couple of years. If you have multiple depressive episodes, you may require treatment throughout your life. It works quite the same as treatments for diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic disorders.

How to Treat Depression

Can depression be cured? Yes, if you follow your doctor's advice. Then what can you do to recover from depression? Here are some suggestions.

1. Set Goals and Get into Routines

You need to try hard and ensure that you do not let depression strip away the structure from your life. Try to maintain a routine even when you are depressed. This will help you get back on track. Set small, achievable goals to keep yourself busy and motivated.

2. Exercise Regularly

Exercise will promote the production of feel-good hormones, and even if it is a temporary boost, it will still make a huge difference to your life. This also helps your brain to rewire itself and start thinking more positively. Just try to be regular even if you just go for a walk a few times a week. Try breathing exercises as well to feel alive and energetic once again. Medication may also help you get out of depression.

3. Watch Your Diet

What you eat can make your depression worse and even lead to other issues caused by overeating. Try to include food in your diet that contains folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. Tuna, salmon, avocado, and spinach are great choices. Omega-3 supplements may also prove beneficial. At the same time, limit your sugar intake because it suppresses a growth hormone called BDNF which is required for healthy brain activity.

4. Stay Involved

Instead of worrying too much about "can depression be cured", focus more on keeping yourself busy and involved in different things. Having daily responsibilities will help maintain a routine and reduce severity of depressive symptoms.

5. Improve Sleep Quality

You may find it difficult to sleep when you are depressed, and not getting adequate sleep will make matters worse. Make changes to your lifestyle and go to your bed at the same time every night. Do not take a nap during the day and ensure there are no distractions in your bedroom. You may have to take medications to treat severe insomnia. Talk to your doctor about that.

6. Try Something Different

Sometimes, it is good to do something other than your daily routine. It is all about getting out of a rut. Pick up your favorite book and go to a park to finish it. Visit a museum or take a language class. Trying something new will make things exciting and take your mind away from negative thoughts.

7. Avoid Alcohol and Recreational Drugs

It is natural to resort to drugs and alcohol to find some relief, but you are going to make your symptoms worse when the effects of drugs and alcohol wear off. This also makes depression a lot more difficult to treat.

8. Get Social Support

Getting the right type of social support will go a long way in helping you overcome your depressive symptoms. Talk to your friends and family members and follow their advice. Communicating with them will help you feel relaxed and even force your mind to think in a positive way.

9. Overcome Depression with Antidepressants

There are many different types of antidepressants available, including SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs, and atypical antidepressants. Can depression be cured by those medicines? Yes, your doctor may also give you stimulant and anti-anxiety medications to improve your condition.

If anyone in your family has responded well to an antidepressant, the same may work for you as well. Sometimes, you have to try a few different types of antidepressants to find the one that works best for you. Once you have found a right antidepressant and it works, you should never stop taking it abruptly. Work with your doctor who will decrease the dose first to avoid any further complications.

10. Treating Depression with Psychotherapy

Receiving psychotherapy while taking antidepressants and making lifestyle changes will help you enjoy better results. Your doctor will determine what type of therapy works best for you. Psychotherapy helps you adjust to a crisis, identify negative beliefs, and understand how to develop positive interactions with people in your life. It also helps identify and change behaviors that lead to depression. You will be able to regain a sense of satisfaction and have more control in life.