Depression is not a choice or a sign of weakness; it’s a condition. But with therapy, patients learn to become more in-tune with their feelings and behaviors to identify their impact on their lives. There is no one-size fits all approach to treating depression. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, 80 percent of patients who undergo depression therapy for four weeks or longer experience significant improvements in their symptoms and lives.
What Are the Different Types of Therapy for Depression?
There is no one-size fits all approach to treating depression. Although symptoms are common, no one experiences them the same way.
Therefore it’s best to consider the advantages of different coping and symptom management solutions and which ones can help patients live the lives they want on their terms. A thorough understanding of the different types of depression therapy available is necessary when evaluating treatment outcomes.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy involves recognizing the emotional impact of thoughts and daily situations and using positive thinking to dampen the negativity. Positive thoughts are highly influential in mild to severe depression treatment. It helps alleviate the darkness and makes it easier to overcome symptom triggers. Cognitive therapy patients learn to look past the negativity and challenge themselves to see and experience the positivity in life.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is an inversion of cognitive therapy. Patients learn to identify negative behaviors triggered by depression and how to overcome them, so they focus more on doing things that bring them satisfaction and happiness.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a combination specialty of cognitive and behavioral therapy principles. CBT is often recommended for other types of mood disorders and depression. Patients learn to recognize negative thought patterns and behaviors and work to develop the appropriate coping skills to make their symptoms more manageable. CBT is very effective at helping those with depression transform their lives with the power of positive thoughts and actions.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy helps patients learn how their reaction to situational conditions in their relationships with others affects their condition. By understanding the triggers, patients can adjust their thoughts and actions to counteract negative influences.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy involves patients psychoanalyzing their lives, especially events that transpired during their childhood, to identify unresolved issues that repress their ability to process positive and negative emotions normally. Resolving these concerns helps patients feel empowered, more self-aware, and happier.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy is very similar to cognitive behavioral therapy. However, instead of using negative feelings to develop coping tactics, DBT encourages patients to learn to accept them. They become more in control of their emotions and reactions to stress and more capable of maintaining positive and healthy relationships with others.
Which Depression Treatment Therapy Is Right for You?
Don’t forget to consider the impact of your symptoms on your life. If your symptoms interfere with every waking moment in life, your condition may be more severe than you know. You may benefit from long-term or more intensive treatments.
Finding the correct type of therapy for depression may require a bit of trial and error. Everyone responds differently to different kinds of therapy. What works well for those with one form of depression may not produce the same effects for you.
Therapy style is another factor to consider. Depression counseling is available for individuals, groups, and families
- Individual sessions focus on the patient. Individual sessions are ideal for those with severe forms of depression or privacy concerns. One-on-one sessions provide personalized guidance and support to those living with the burden of depression.
- Family therapy is for family members exposed to the side effects of depression from an affected loved one. Many behavioral issues caused by depression are not intentional. Professional counseling educates family members about depression so they can become more positive and supportive. Family therapy also empowers families to implement positive changes in their lives.
- Group sessions offer people with depression a safe space to meet others who experience symptoms and situations similar to theirs. Patients gain insight, inspiration, and strategies to help them overcome the limitation of their conditions and improve their quality of life.
It’s essential to learn as much as possible about the type of depression symptoms you’ve been experiencing. If you have symptoms that stem from underlying medical or mental health disorders, you may consider combining therapy with alternative treatments, such as medications.
Finding a Therapist to Help With the Treatment of Depression
Finding the right therapist to talk to is a critical step in treatment. Ideally, a professional who is compassionate, patient, highly experienced in dealing with all forms of depression, and committed to helping patients learn valuable skills to help them manage their symptoms and reduce their influence on their lives.
Search online, get recommendations from family and friends or referrals from past medical providers and therapists, and research them. Check credentials and meet with them to determine your level of comfort before committing to any particular therapist.
Get Treatment for Depression at NeoPsych
It helps to consider the different styles and types available and how beneficial they can be for your situation when it comes to therapy. No two people respond the same way to depression symptoms. Therefore it’s best to keep an open mind about treatment for depression.
To learn more about depression therapy or schedule a session at NeoPsych, call (213) 433-2823.
