Psychotherapy is an integral component of depression treatment and should be carried out either in-person at a hospital, clinic or even via telehealth at your own home.
Depression treatment options range from interpersonal therapy, which examines how relationships impact emotions and behaviors, to dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which teaches participants how to recognize negative thoughts and behaviors and validate them.
Relationships
If you have close relationships such as partners, family and friends who you spend a great deal of time with, it’s essential that they understand how depression can impact on your emotional state and their role in its treatment. Consulting a therapist may help both parties discuss issues which contribute to or are causes for their depression.
Individual psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”) is an effective method for treating depression. Your therapist will listen to your concerns, helping identify and change any unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Talk therapy sessions may last just minutes or several months or years and could even be combined with prescription medication in more severe cases of depression.
Your therapist may refer you to a psychiatrist (PsyD), depending on your history or current symptoms of mental illness or psychosis. This specialist can review your medical records and decide if medication would be more beneficial than psychotherapy in treating depression.
Work
At times, everyone feels down, but depression goes beyond simple feelings of sadness or moodiness. It can disrupt everyday activities and relationships while having physical symptoms like changes to appetite and sleep patterns as well as fatigue and negative thought processes.
Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) can be an invaluable asset to those experiencing depression. A professional therapist can assist individuals in recognizing what’s contributing to their state, such as grief or stress-induced traumas that lie dormant within themselves, as well as teach ways to cope with such circumstances.
Psychotherapy sessions may take place in any location: private practice, hospital, medical clinic or even at home via telehealth services. Psychotherapy sessions may involve one-on-one or group conversations about emotions and problem solving strategies. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, behavioural activation therapy or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy may also help to decrease relapse rates (relapse prevention). Sometimes both treatments (psychotherapy and medication) are employed simultaneously for optimal results.
Spirituality
Spirituality still plays a pivotal role in mental health treatment despite our increasingly secular society, according to various studies. Patients can be assisted in cultivating their intrinsic beliefs and coping mechanisms in a manner which encourages these in order to reduce depression.
Studies have demonstrated that patients who scored highly on spirituality questionnaires experienced less depressive symptoms. Their scores indicated belief in an external source, faith and the significance of prayer in daily life.
Therapists can integrate spirituality into treatment using tools such as life maps, in which patients depict their lifelong spiritual journey; genograms, which trace religion and spirituality through generations in a family; and eco-maps which document current relationships between humans and nature. When searching for the appropriate therapist to discuss spiritual matters with, using an online directory or professional organization such as Anxiety Network UK could provide access to licensed psychologists who specialize in treating depression; alternatively you could reach out directly to religious leaders for advice.
Health
Depression can have a dramatic impact on an individual’s mind and behavior. It may interfere with eating, sleeping and participation in previously enjoyable activities as well as lead to feelings of guilt and worthlessness – yet depression remains one of the most prevalent mental disorders and treatable.
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential that they meet with a health care provider immediately. A mental health provider can conduct a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that may include interviews, physical exams and lab tests such as bloodwork to rule out medical causes for depression such as thyroid conditions or vitamin deficiencies (which can be treated).
Psychotherapy is often part of a treatment plan for depression. Different forms of short-term talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy have proven their efficacy.