Depression Treatment Approaches
There are many methods to treat depression. There are many treatment options for depression.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a method to improve your techniques and gain support. It can be carried out in groups or individual sessions and may include a counselor, social worker or psychiatrist. Another crucial aspect of treatment is the use of medication.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can help reduce the symptoms of depression and mental health disorders. It's based on the notion that thoughts, emotions and behavior are interconnected. Negative or harmful beliefs or thoughts can cause emotional distress and can lead you to self-defeating behaviors. A therapist can help you identify the negative patterns and help you learn new ways to handle different situations.
A therapist will engage you in interactive question-and-answer sessions to determine the cause of your emotional difficulties. They will help you be aware of the times that you feel stressed or depressed and then discuss these moments. Together, you'll discover unproductive patterns of thinking, inaccurate perceptions, or behaviors that can cause depression and anxiety.
Your Therapist will also help you to create and implement self-help strategies to help you deal with your concerns right now. These strategies are sometimes referred to as "cognitive reorganization techniques" and include goal setting, journaling and mindfulness meditation. Your therapist may also recommend to try new behavior and strategies to cope in safe, controlled settings to practice your new skills.
CBT has been shown to be effective in numerous studies for psychiatric problems such as anxiety, depression disorders, and substance abuse issues. depression management strategies can be used alone or in conjunction with a psychiatric drug.
CBT is a procedure that requires commitment and a willingness to adapt. If you're interested in learning more about this method consult your physician or find a therapist that is skilled in CBT. Check your health insurance policy to see whether these services are covered. If you require financial assistance There are online resources to allow those with a low income to access treatment for mental illness. The first step towards recovery and better health is seeking help when you need it.
Interpersonal Therapy
IPT, developed by the late psychiatrist Gerald Klerman is another talking therapy which addresses specific problems that can contribute to depression. It's based on the idea that depression is a biological predisposition, and that changes in the social environment of a person can activate it. It also suggests that the problems with relationships that cause depression can be dealt with by dealing with the relationship issues that can trigger symptoms.
IPT is different from other modern psychotherapies, which focus on the unconscious motives of a person's actions or previous traumas. This approach to treatment recognizes that people with depression have a difficult time expressing and coping emotions like anger and frustrated and can make relationships difficult for family members and friends.
The initial phase of IPT could last for up to three sessions. It concentrates on identifying the specific area of interaction that could contribute to the depressive symptoms. Your therapist will ask you to examine your significant relationships that are both past and present, and then group them into four problematic areas: unresolved grief (often associated with the loss of loved ones), role transition or role conflict, or interpersonal issues.
The middle phase of IPT usually occurs between sessions four and fourteen. Your therapist will use strategies to tackle the specific problem area. For instance your therapist might help you navigate difficult relationship transitions, validate and vent your anger, or develop more adaptive ways to interact with others.
Your therapist will help you identify the skills that you have learned during treatment and can apply at home. They will also encourage you to stay in contact with your therapist even after sessions, such as through weekly phone calls or a monthly face-to-face meeting, so that you can avoid relapses and continue to improve your skills. The therapist might also suggest sessions to maintain your health for those suffering from mental health conditions that are chronic or recurrent such as PTSD.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a research-based treatment approach created by psychologist Marsha Linehan for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The therapy focuses on teaching people to manage their emotions, behavior and build abilities that aid them in building healthy relationships and deal with stress. DBT is broken down into four stages. The first stage focuses on changing how you respond to situations, such as how you react when you're angry or sad. The second stage assists you to build a sense of emotional control, which will allow you to tolerate your emotions better. The third phase helps you develop the ability to sustain your efforts to changing and to build an enjoyable life.
The fourth and final stage is to help you practice the skills you've acquired in therapy on a daily basis, outside of your weekly sessions with your therapist. Your therapist will utilize tools such as homework assignments, telephone coaching, and other tools to show you how to apply these skills. A therapist trained in DBT can help you recognize that your negative emotions and thoughts are valid and not necessarily "wrong". They're a result of challenges you've faced in life. They'll also teach you how to manage and combine seemingly incompatible strategies, including acceptance and change.
DBT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of illnesses. For instance, one RCT compared the standard DBT to treatment-as-usual in women suffering from BPD and found that patients receiving DBT were significantly less prone to parasuicide behavior, suicide attempts, and psychiatric hospitalizations days as compared to those who received the control group. DBT was also associated with reduced aggression and improved functioning.
DBT also involves regular meetings with a therapist who has been trained in DBT, participation in a DBT consulting team, and the ability to practice at home. The team consists of therapists who regularly meet to discuss common clinical issues like dealing with patients who are suicidal or helping them stay engaged in therapy.
In the team meeting, therapists are encouraged to remain non-judgmental and kind toward their patients even in challenging situations. They're also supported and encouraged to avoid burnout and they are monitored for compliance with DBT procedures.
Medication
Many people suffering from depression find that medication can alleviate symptoms and aid in recovery. Speak to your doctor about the various options available if you are interested in antidepressants. Every person's body reacts differently to medication therefore it could take some time before you find the right combination of drugs that works for you. It is also important to talk with your doctor about any changes to your lifestyle that could help alleviate depression, such as exercise or better sleep habits.
If you are not getting relief from depression through treatments or medications It could be an appropriate time to seek out a specialist. They will review your medical history and treatment options, and conduct a an extensive medical exam. They can test to see whether there are any medical conditions that could contribute to depression, like hypothyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis. They can also test for depression using an instrument called pharmacogenetic tests that can determine the body's reaction to certain medications by using genetic markers. These tests are currently not covered by insurance.
In some instances doctors may add a drug to a depressant in order to increase its effectiveness. This is known as augment therapy. Drugs such as Aripiprazole (Abilify), Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) or quetiapine (Seroquel XR) are FDA-approved for this reason. Some doctors may also prescribe ketamine as an anesthetic medication that provides quick relief for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression. This procedure is performed in a hospital or in a clinic.
Talk therapy is a crucial part of depression treatment. However, many people do not seek help because they believe that the condition will disappear on its own or therapy is ineffective. Talk therapy can help you gain knowledge and insight to speed up recovery and stop depression from returning.
Therapy for depression can be utilized on their own or in conjunction with other treatments for depression that include lifestyle modifications. It's important to stick with your treatment program and keep up with all therapy sessions, even if you don't feel depressed. Don't forget to take your medication. If you stop taking your prescription your depression is likely to be recurrent and you could be suffering from withdrawal-like symptoms.