Depression Treatment Approaches
There are many ways to treat depression. There are a variety of treatment options for depression.
Psychotherapy, sometimes called talk therapy, is a way to learn new skills and find support. It can be done either in a group or on its own, and may involve a social worker, psychiatrist or counselor. Medications are another important part of treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps to alleviate the symptoms of depression and mental health conditions. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and behaviors are all connected. Negative or unhelpful beliefs, thoughts or perceptions can cause emotional distress and lead to self-defeating behaviours. A therapist will help you recognize those negative patterns and develop new ways to react in different situations.
A therapist will engage you in interactive questions and answers to discover the source of your emotional difficulties. They will help you talk about those times when you feel anxious and depressed. Together, you'll discover unhealthy patterns of thinking, distorted perceptions or behaviors that contribute to your depression and anxiety.
Your Therapist will also work with you to create and implement self-help strategies that will help you tackle your concerns right now. They are commonly referred to as "cognitive restructuring techniques," and include goal-setting journaling, mindfulness meditation, journaling and exposure therapy. Your therapist may also suggest that you try out new behaviors and strategies to cope in controlled, safe settings to help you practice your new skills.
CBT has been shown to be effective in a number studies for psychiatric problems that include anxiety, depression disorders and substance abuse issues. It can be performed as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with an psychiatric drug.
CBT is a method that requires commitment and a willingness to adapt. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of this therapy consider consulting with your physician or locating an expert therapist who is trained in CBT. You can also verify your health insurance to see if they cover these services. And if you need financial assistance there are many online resources to help those with a low income to access mental health care. The first step towards recovery and a healthier lifestyle is seeking help when you need it.
Interpersonal Therapy
IPT created by the late psychiatrist Gerald Klerman is another talking therapy which addresses specific problems that can cause depression. It's based on the idea that depression is a biological predisposition and that problems in the social environment of a person can trigger it. It also suggests that interpersonal challenges that trigger depression can be addressed by focusing on the relationship difficulties that make symptoms worse.
In contrast to other modern psychotherapies which attempt to identify the root causes of one's behavior, IPT doesn't focus on exploring unconscious motives or past traumas. Instead, therapists using this approach realize that people who suffer with depression have trouble expressing and coping with emotions like anger and frustration, and these issues can affect their relationships with their family and friends, as well as with partners.
The first phase of IPT can last as long as three sessions. It is focused on identifying the areas of interaction that could be causing depression-related symptoms. Your Therapist will ask you to examine your significant relationships, both current and past and group them into four potential problem areas that include unresolved grief (often due to the loss of a loved one), role transition, role dispute or interpersonal issues.
In the middle phase of IPT, which usually is between sessions four to 14 sessions, your therapist will use specific strategies to deal with the issue being addressed, for example, helping you deal with delayed or distorted grief following the loss of a loved one, helping you with dealing with difficult transitions in your relationship as well as validating and expressing your anger, or creating more adaptive ways of interacting with others.
Your therapist will help you identify the skills you've learned during treatment and can apply at home. They will also advise you to maintain contact with your therapist beyond sessions, such as through weekly phone calls or a monthly face-to-face meeting, to prevent the relapses from happening and to continue to develop your skills. The therapist might also recommend maintenance sessions for those suffering from chronic or recurring mental health issues, such as PTSD.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a research-based treatment method developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). The therapy focuses on teaching people how to manage their emotions, behaviors and build skills that will aid them in building healthy relationships and cope with distress. www.iampsychiatry.com is divided into four phases. The first stage is focused on changing your response to situations such as when you are upset or sad. The second stage assists you to build a sense of emotional regulation, so you can be more comfortable with your emotions. The third stage helps you learn to sustain your efforts for change and create an existence that is worth living.
The fourth and final step will teach you how to apply the techniques you learned in therapy outside of your regular sessions. Your therapist may use the telephone, homework assignments, and other tools to help you develop and apply these techniques in your everyday life. A DBT-certified therapist can help you recognize that your negative feelings and thoughts are normal and aren't necessarily "wrong". They're a result of experiences you've had in your life. They'll also teach you how to manage and combine seemingly contradictory strategies, including acceptance and change.
DBT has been shown to be effective in treating a broad spectrum of disorders. For instance, one RCT evaluated the standard DBT to standard treatment for women suffering from BPD and found that those receiving DBT had significantly lower parasuicide behaviors, suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalization days compared to the control group. DBT was also associated with reduced aggression and better social functioning.
DBT also involves regular meetings with a therapist who has been trained in DBT, participation in the DBT consulting team, and practice at home. The group is comprised of therapists that meet regularly to discuss the most common clinical issues, such as how to deal with suicidal patients or assist them in maintaining their involvement in therapy.
The team meeting is a time when therapists are urged to be present, even in challenging situations, to be kind and nonjudgmental towards their patients. They're also supported and encouraged to avoid burnout and they're supervised for compliance with DBT procedures.
Medication
Many people with depression find that medication can ease symptoms and promote recovery. Consult your doctor about the various options available if you are looking for antidepressants. Every person's body reacts differently to medications therefore it could take some time before you discover the best combination of drugs that works for you. Discuss with your doctor about changes to your lifestyle such as better sleeping habits or exercising that can help you overcome depression.
If you're not finding relief from depression through treatments or medications it could be the right the right time to see a doctor. They will review your medical history and examine you thoroughly. They can look for the presence of any medical conditions, such as the rheumatoid or hypothyroidism that could contribute to your depression. They can also make use of the pharmacogenetic test which can help predict the body's reaction to certain drugs in relation to genetic markers. These tests are not currently covered by insurance.
In certain instances, doctors can include a medication in an antidepressant in order to increase its effects. This is known as augment therapy. The medications such as aripiprazole (Abilify) or the brexpiprazole (Rexulti) or quetiapine (Seroquel XR) are FDA-approved for this purpose. Some doctors may prescribe ketamine, an anesthetic that provides quick relief for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression. This procedure is done in a clinic or hospital setting.
Talk therapy is a crucial element of treating depression however, some people do not seek help due to the belief that the depression will disappear on its own or that therapy isn't efficient. Talk therapy can help you develop skills and insights to speed up recovery and keep depression from recurring.
Therapy for depression can be utilized on their own or in combination with other treatments for depression such as lifestyle changes. Even even if you're not depressed it is important to adhere to your treatment program. Participate in every therapy session. Do not skip your medication, either. If you stop taking the medication, you will likely suffer withdrawal symptoms and depression may recur.