Depression is not simply an internalized morality problem or something you can “think your way out of.” It’s an illness, and requires treatment in order to overcome.
An initial diagnosis begins with a physical exam and review of your symptoms, while your physician may also order lab tests to rule out other health conditions.
Finding a Psychologist
Finding an appropriate depression therapist is essential, and should take into account credentials, certificates and specialties as well as your budget and availability when making this choice.
Many people find their therapist through referral from their primary care doctor or another health care provider, though you could also ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. There are also online therapist directories and search engines available that can assist in finding one in your area.
If you are considering cognitive behavioral therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing as therapy options, be sure to find a therapist with expertise in that particular form of treatment. Also consider whether they offer telehealth appointments; it could make life easier. The therapist chosen will play an essential part in your recovery from depression so it’s crucial that they make you feel at ease – it may take several trials until finding one you feel is suitable. It is perfectly normal if multiple therapists must be tried out before finding someone perfect!
Depression Symptoms
Depression is a serious mental illness that interferes with thoughts, feelings, behaviors and the ability to enjoy life. The symptoms include persistent low mood for weeks or longer; an inability to take pleasure from normal activities like hobbies or spending time with friends; changes in your appetite; feeling hopelessness or pessimism. Depression is sometimes also the result of physical health conditions or medications taken to manage them.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and may order lab tests to check your hormone levels, before discussing your symptoms with you and asking any pertinent questions. They may then use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as a reference point to make an accurate diagnosis.
Psychotherapists and psychiatrists treat depression through psychotherapy – or talk therapy – and medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for instance, may help by helping recognize and managing negative thinking patterns which contribute to depression. Interpersonal therapy offers additional assistance by strengthening relationships and helping manage conflict more constructively.
Depression Treatment
Psychotherapy and medication are the mainstays for treating depression. Psychotherapy involves talk therapy with a trained mental health professional and comes in various forms. Some types include analytical psychotherapy or depth psychotherapy for more in-depth therapeutic experiences; sometimes different therapies combine with each other as in cognitive behavioral therapy or systemic therapy.
Psychologists and psychiatrists both utilize psychotherapy to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, but their approaches differ considerably. Psychologists take an integrative medical approach while reviewing all of a patient’s medical records in order to rule out physical issues that might worsen depression symptoms or cause their development.
Psychiatrists also offer antidepressant medication prescription. The most frequently prescribed antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These antidepressant drugs work by altering how brain chemicals such as serotonin work; they can help alleviate acute moderate to severe depression when taken together with psychological treatment, mood stabilizers or antipsychotic drugs may also be available; in extreme cases electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be recommended as a solution.
Depression Therapy
Depression can often result in self-sabotage and lack of motivation, making life even harder than necessary. Therapy services may be instrumental in helping overcome such difficulties.
Psychotherapy can teach you how to recognize unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, such as negative self-talk common among depressives. Furthermore, psychotherapy may have long-lasting positive impacts on both mood and wellbeing.
Psychotherapy (or talking therapy) may be used alone or combined with antidepressant medication to address depression. Common forms of therapy for depression include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.
Therapists can help you discover ways to reduce your stress levels, such as scheduling social activities or picking up hobbies regularly. They may suggest self-help books and websites; and even assist in finding support groups specifically dedicated to people living with depression – offering much needed inspiration and motivation.
