Depression Treatment Approaches
There are a variety of ways to combat depression. There are a variety of treatments for depression.
Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is a great method to gain support and master new skills. It can be carried out either in a group or on its own, and can involve a social worker, psychiatrist or counselor. Another important part of the treatment is medication.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy which can reduce the symptoms of depression and mental health disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts and behaviors are all linked. Unhelpful or negative beliefs or thoughts can cause emotional distress and can lead to self-defeating behavior. A therapist will help you identify the negative patterns and help you discover new ways to react in different situations.
A therapist will use interactive questions and answers to get to the root of your emotional issues. They will encourage you to be aware of the times that you feel anxious or depressed and discuss the feelings you experience. Together, you'll discover negative patterns of thinking, inaccurate perceptions, or actions that can cause depression and anxiety.
Your therapist will also help you develop and implement self-help strategies to help you manage your concerns now. These are often called "cognitive restructuring methods," and include goal-setting, journaling, mindfulness meditation and exposure therapy. Your therapist might suggest that you try new behaviors and coping techniques in controlled, safe environments to help you develop.
CBT has been found to be to be effective in numerous outcomes studies for mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse problems. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with a psychiatric medication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a process that requires commitment and willingness to adapt. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of this therapy think about speaking with your doctor or locating a therapist who specializes in CBT. You can also check your health insurance plan to determine whether they will cover these therapies. Online resources are available to those with a low income who need financial assistance. The first step towards recovery and living a healthier life is to seek assistance when you require it.
Interpersonal Therapy
IPT, developed by the late psychiatrist Gerald Klerman is another talking therapy which addresses specific problems that may cause depression. It is based on the notion that depression is a predisposition that can be triggered by changes in a person's social setting. It also posits that the social issues that cause depression can be addressed by attending to the relationships issues 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. This treatment method recognizes that people suffering from depression have a difficult time expressing and coping emotions like anger and frustration, and that this can make relationships difficult for family members and friends, as well as partners.
The first phase of IPT could last for up to three sessions. It concentrates on identifying the specific area of interaction that may be contributing to depression-related symptoms. Your therapist will ask that you examine all of your significant relationships both in the past and in the present, and then group these into four possible areas of concern: unresolved grieving (often caused by the loss of an individual loved one), a role transition, a role dispute, or interpersonal problems.
The middle part of IPT typically occurs between sessions four and fourteen. Your therapist will use strategies to address the particular challenge area. For instance your therapist can assist you in navigating difficult relationship transitions, acknowledge and vent your anger, or create more adaptive ways to interact with others.
Your therapist will help identify the skills that you have learned in treatment and are able to apply at home. They'll also help you maintain contact with your therapist beyond sessions, for example, through weekly phone calls or monthly face-toface meetings to prevent relapse and continue improving your skills. Therapists might also recommend maintenance sessions for people suffering from chronic or recurrent mental health conditions like 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 how to manage their emotions and behavior, develop skills that help them build healthy relationships, and cope with distress. DBT is divided into four stages. The first stage focuses on changing your response to situations such as when you're upset or sad. The second stage helps you build a sense of emotional regulation, so you can be more comfortable with your emotions. Iam Psychiatry helps you get the hang of your efforts to change and build a life that's worth living.
The fourth and final phase teaches you how to practice the skills you've learned from therapy on a daily basis, outside of your weekly sessions with your therapist. Your therapist will use tools such as homework assignments, telephone coaching and other tools to teach you how to apply these skills. A therapist trained in DBT can help you realize that your negative thoughts and feelings aren't necessarily "wrong" and are legitimate due to the challenges you've experienced in life. They will also teach you to combine and balance seemingly contradictory techniques including accepting change and acceptance.
A variety of studies have demonstrated that DBT is effective for a variety of disorders. For example, one RCT compared standard DBT with treatment-as-usual for women suffering from BPD and found that those receiving DBT had significantly less parasuicidal behaviors, suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalization days compared to the control group. DBT was also associated reduced aggression and improved functioning.
In addition to individual and group therapy sessions, DBT includes practice at home (e.g., by using a telephone coaching system and homework), regular meetings with a therapist who's adept in DBT and also participation in an DBT consultation team. 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 the therapists are encouraged to remain compassionate and nonjudgmental toward their patients even in difficult circumstances. They are also encouraged and assisted to avoid burnout and monitored for conformity with DBT procedures.
Medication
Many people suffering from depression discover that medication can ease symptoms and promote recovery. Speak to your doctor about the various options available if you are interested in antidepressants. It may take a while before you discover the best medication for you. Discuss with your doctor about changes to your lifestyle like better sleep or exercise that could help you beat depression.
If your depression is not responding to therapy or medications, you may need to see a specialist, like psychiatrist. They will review your history and treatment, and then conduct a an extensive medical examination. They will be able to test if there are any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to your depression, such as hypothyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis. They can also test for depression using an instrument called pharmacogenetic tests, which can predict the body's reaction to certain medications using genetic markers. These tests are not currently covered by insurance.
In some cases, doctors may add a medication to an antidepressant to increase its effectiveness. This is known as augment therapy. The medications such as Aripiprazole (Abilify) or Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) or quetiapine (Seroquel XR) are FDA-approved for this purpose. Some doctors might also prescribe ketamine, an anesthetic drug that can provide quick relief for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression. This procedure can be performed in a clinic or hospital setting.
Talk therapy is an essential part of depression treatment. However, some people don't seek help because they believe that the condition will disappear on its own or that therapy is not effective. Talk therapy can help you gain skills and knowledge to speed up your recovery and keep depression from returning.
Therapy for depression is often utilized in combination with other treatment options, including lifestyle modifications. Even even if you're not depressed it is important to adhere to your treatment program. Make sure you attend all sessions. Don't skip your medication as well. If you stop taking your medication then your depression could be recurrent and you could experience withdrawal-like symptoms.