Depression Treatment Approaches

There are a variety of ways to combat depression. Some of the treatment options include:

Psychotherapy, sometimes referred to as talk therapy, is a method to improve your skills and to find assistance. It can be conducted in individual sessions or groups and can involve a counselor, therapist, social worker or psychiatrist. Another crucial aspect of treatment is the use of medication.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps to reduce the symptoms of depression and mental health issues. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts and behaviors are connected. Negative or harmful beliefs, thoughts or perceptions can cause emotional distress and can lead to self-defeating behaviors. A therapist can help identify negative patterns and teach you new ways to react in various situations.

A therapist will engage you in interactive question-and-answer sessions to get to the root of your emotional problems. They will urge you to be aware of the moments when you feel anxious or depressed and discuss these moments. Together, you'll identify unhealthy patterns of thought and behavior, or distorted perceptions that cause depression and anxiety.

Your therapist can also help you create and implement self-help strategies to help you deal with your concerns right now. They are commonly referred to as "cognitive restructuring techniques," and include goal-setting and journaling, mindfulness meditation and exposure therapy. Your therapist may suggest that you try new behaviors and coping strategies in controlled, safe environments to help you learn.

CBT has been shown to be effective in numerous studies of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse issues. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with a psychiatric drug.

CBT is a process that requires commitment and the willingness to change. If you're interested to learn more about the advantages of this therapy, consider consulting with your physician or a therapist who specializes in CBT. You can also verify your health insurance policy to see whether they will cover these therapies. Online resources are available for those with limited incomes who need financial assistance. The first step towards recovery and better health is seeking assistance when you require it.

Interpersonal Therapy

IPT created by the late psychiatrist Gerald Klerman is another talking therapy which addresses specific problems that can contribute to depression. It is based on the notion that depression is a biological predisposition and that problems in one's social environment can activate it. It also suggests that interpersonal issues that cause depression can be addressed by focusing on the issues in relationships that cause symptoms worse.

In contrast to other psychotherapies of the present that try to identify the root causes of a person's behavior, IPT doesn't focus on investigating the unconscious motives of a person or their past traumas. This treatment method recognizes that those suffering from depression have difficulty expressing and coping with emotions like anger and frustration and this may make relationships difficult for family members and friends.

The initial phase of IPT can last up to three sessions, and focuses on identifying which area of interaction might be contributing to depressive symptoms. Your counselor will ask you to examine your significant relationships that are both past and present, and then group them into four potential problem areas that include unresolved grief (often due to the loss of loved ones) or a role change, role dispute or interpersonal issues.

The middle phase of IPT usually occurs between sessions four and fourteen. Your therapist will employ strategies to tackle the specific problem area. For example your therapist can assist you through difficult relationship transitions, acknowledge and vent your anger, or find more most effective treatment for depression ways of interacting with others.

Your therapist will help identify the skills you've acquired during your treatment and that you can use at home. They'll also advise you to keep in contact with your therapist outside of sessions, like weekly phone calls or monthly face to face meetings, in order to prevent relapse and continue improving your skills. The therapist might also suggest maintenance sessions for individuals with mental health issues that are chronic or recurrent, such as PTSD.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a tried and tested treatment method developed by psychologist Marsha Linhan for borderline personalities disorder (BPD). The therapy focuses on teaching people how to manage their emotions, behavior and develop skills that aid them in establishing healthy relationships and deal with stress. DBT is divided into four stages. The first stage focuses primarily on changing the way you react to situations like when you are upset or sad. The second stage helps to build emotional control to help you better tolerate your emotions. The third stage helps you learn to maintain your efforts for change and create an enjoyable life.

The fourth and final stage teaches you how to practice the skills you've acquired in therapy on a daily basis, in addition to your weekly sessions with your therapist. Your therapist may use coaching via phone, homework assignments, and other tools to help you learn and apply these techniques in your daily life. A therapist trained in DBT will help you realize that your negative feelings and thoughts are valid and not necessarily "wrong". They're a result of the challenges you've had to face in life. They'll also teach you how to manage and combine seemingly contradictory strategies, such as acceptance and change.

A variety of studies have proven that DBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders. One research study conducted a comparison of DBT standard with treatment that is standard for women with BPD. It found that DBT patients showed significantly lower parasuicidal behaviors, suicide attempts and hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders, as well as parasuicidal behaviours than the control group. DBT was also associated reduced anxiety and improved functioning.

DBT also includes regular sessions with a DBT-trained therapist, participation in the DBT consulting team, and the ability to practice at home. The team is comprised of therapists who regularly meet to discuss common clinical issues such as dealing with patients who are suicidal or helping them keep their engagement in therapy.

The team meeting is a time where therapists are urged to, even in tough situations, to be kind and non-judgmental with their patients. They're also supported and encouraged to avoid therapist burnout, and they're monitored to ensure they follow DBT procedures.

Medication

Many people who suffer from depression discover that medication can reduce symptoms and speed recovery. Talk to your doctor about the different options available to you if looking for antidepressants. Each person's body reacts differently to medication therefore it could take some time to discover the best treatment for depression combination of drugs that works for you. It is important to speak with your doctor about any lifestyle changes that can help reduce your depression, like exercise or better sleeping habits.

If your depression is not responding to therapy or medications, you may need to consult with a specialist such as psychiatrist. They will review your medical background and conduct a thorough examination of you. They will test for any the presence of any medical conditions, such as the rheumatoid or hypothyroidism that could contribute to your depression. They can also use the tool known as pharmacogenetic testing which can help predict how your body will react to certain medicines in relation to genetic markers. These tests are not currently covered by insurance.

In certain instances, doctors may add a medication to an antidepressant to increase its effectiveness. This is known as augmentation therapy. FDA-approved drugs like aripiprazole or quetiapine are utilized to achieve this goal. In addition, some physicians can prescribe an anesthetic medicine called ketamine to provide rapid relief in people with treatment resistant depression. This procedure is carried out in a hospital setting or a clinic.

Talk therapy is an essential component of treatment for depression, but some people don't seek help because they think the depression will disappear by itself or because therapy isn't effective. Talk therapy can help you develop skills and insights to speed up recovery and prevent depression treatment without drugs from recurring.

The use of talk therapies is usually in conjunction with other depression treatment options, like lifestyle modifications. It is essential to adhere to your treatment plan and attend all therapy sessions, even if it's not the case that you feel depressed. Don't forget to take your medication. If you stop taking your medication your depression is likely to be recurrent and you could be suffering from withdrawal-like symptoms.