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We all have our sad moments. Depression goes beyond that. It is an extreme kind of sadness or despair that goes on for a considerable period of time. It affects a person’s day-to-day life and can even manifest as a physical pain. The good news is, there is treatment for depression.
Depression, also referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, is among the most prevalent mental conditions in America these days. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), around 7{90eae5c21f0a41583923a14bc0d1e6b688a935d239d7aed91446e99aaeb31c4f} (roughly 16 million) of the whole adult population in the country has had at least one severe depressive episode.
Defining Depression
Obviously, depression affects people in different ways, depending on the issues they are dealing with.
However, you can usually find the following symptoms in those who have the disorder:
> Persistent sadness
> Feelings of desperation, guilt or worthlessness
> Anger and irritability
> Restlessness
> Difficulty focusing
> Unreasonable fatigue
> Unusual sleep patterns
> Major change in appetite
> Pain that never seems to go away (headaches, stomachaches, etc.)
> Disinterest in activities that the person once found exciting
> Social withdrawal
> Thoughts about death or suicide
Depression is the product of many different factors – genetic, biological, social, psychological and environmental. People with a family history of depression and other chronic diseases like heart disease or cancer, are more likely to develop depression than those who don’t. Depression is usually triggered by trauma, stress or a major life event, but sometimes, it happens without any known cause.
Seeing a Psychologist for Depression
Licensed psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals with experience in helping patients recover from depression.
Licensed psychologists are professional who have the training and experience needed to help a patient recover from depression.
Several approaches to psychotherapy have been identified and proven effective in treating depression, especially in mild to moderate cases.
For one, psychotherapy helps patients pinpoint things in their lives that have a role in their depression, in turn helping them find ways to improve the situation. It also aids them in goal-setting. It corrects distorted thoughts and unacceptable behavior that bring about feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Very importantly, it teaches the patient how to deal with symptoms and to prevent future depressive episodes.
The following are the two most common evidence-based therapies used to treat depression these days:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is focused on teaching patients how to identify and manage negative thoughts and behavior patterns that aggravate depression. The process also helps patients interact with others more positively.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
In Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), the patient learns how to improve their relationships with people by knowing healthier and more effective ways of self-expression and problem-solving.
In the end, there is no right or wrong approach to therapy. But psychologists can make the therapy work based on their expertise in designing a treatment plan that suits the patient.