Psychotherapy: What Is It What Are The Benefits And Which Therapist Should I See
There is no single answer to this question as the best psychotherapy for different individuals will vary depending on their diagnosis, history, and goals. However, in general, psychotherapy can be broken down into two categories: talk therapy and medication therapy.
Talk therapy is generally considered more effective than medication for treating depression, but there are a few caveats. First, talk therapy is typically more expensive than medication secondly, it takes longer to see the full benefits of talk therapy than medication and lastly, treatment with talk therapy can be challenging for some people because it involves communicating openly about ones thoughts and feelings.
If you are considering psychotherapy as an option for treating your depression, it is important to find a therapist who specializes in treating mental health conditions. You can search for therapists in your area by visiting the websites of national organizations such as the American Psychological Association or the National Association of Mental Health Counselors.
Im Living With Depression Not Fighting It
My depression has evolved as I’ve gotten older, and I’ve realized that the way I live with it needs to evolve too.
Im sitting in the bathtub. The water is hot-tub hot and neon orange, and the steam floating up smells like citrus. I have given myself permission to use the bath bomb thats been in my closet for months Im trying to cheer myself up. It isnt working. Im still crying.
Crying is my constant today a true inconvenience, since I finally have a job again. Id been out of work for 10 months, a lifestyle change Id entered into enthusiastically and by my own will, but which resulted in a depression so bad that, after seven months, I was in a psych ward. I left that ward with new meds, a clearer mind, and one goal: to go back to work. I did, and it was good. It is good. Except I missed a day of my meds, and it turns out one of the meds Im on is notorious for a swift and devastating withdrawal.
Sometimes in the morning, I am petrified and cant moveAwake, but cannot open my eyes
When I heard these lyrics for the first time, the first words Jenny Lewis sings in the Rilo Kiley song A Better Son/Daughter, they were a revelation. I was 16 and reckoning with a sadness I didnt understand, and I was missing enough school to both worry my parents and inspire some lighthearted teasing from friends. Oh, you decided to come in today? theyd say, eyes rolling, and my gut would churn. Oh, you know, terrible headache. Stomach flu. Bad period. Anything but sad.
Its Harder To Exercise When Youre Depressed
Exercise is a great source of energy, but feelings of depression might make it harder for you to want to work out on a regular basis. Depression can cause you to experience a lack of motivation in many aspects of life, and this can channel into a lack of desire to exercise.
But dont think that this lack of exercise is because of laziness. This couldnt be further from the truth!
Summoning the motivation to exercise is already hard enough. But feelings like reduced self-esteem and pessimism are specific depressive attitudes that research suggests may be interfering with your exercise.
Its completely understandable that you might not be working out as much as you used to or would like to. Recognizing that these thought patterns are a result of depression means youre better equipped to deal with the challenge of motivating yourself to exercise.
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How Does Depression Affect Productivity
Depression and workplace productivity can significantly counteract each other. This is a common challenge for many people suffering from depression. Employers suffer, too: The estimated cost, due to loss of productivity related to depression and its effects, is in the billions of dollars.3
Why is it hard to keep up workplace performance when youre depressed? The symptoms of depression can be debilitating. Depression can affect productivity in these ways:4
- Lack of concentration
- Lack of initiative or motivation
- Low energy, fatigue
- Poor communication with others
Depression at work is a challenge for many. Self-care and daily changes in your routine may help, but its important you talk to your doctor, a therapist, or behavioral provider for long-term management of depression. Without treatment, depression can worsen.
The Most Important Thing Is To Keep
talking about your struggles and make sure that you stay in touch with your\r
doctor. Try to do things that make you happy, even if theyre small. Make\r
sure to get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet. If you can, try to find a\r
support group or therapist who can help you work through your depression.
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Alcohol Tobacco And Other Drugs
The misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans. SAMHSAs 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that approximately 19.3 million people aged 18 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year.
If Youre Feeling Down And Out There Are Many Things You Can Do To Help Yourself Get Better
First, its important to realize that youre not alone in your struggles. Depression is a very common mental illness, and there are many people who have gone through similar experiences. Second, its important to talk to someone about your feelings. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can be really helpful in getting through tough times. Finally, its important to take care of yourself physically and mentally. Getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy eating habits can help you feel upbeat and energized.
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Do I Need Health Insurance To Receive This Service
The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.
Medications For Depression: What Works What Doesnt
Depression is a common mental illness that affects millions of people. There is no one cure for depression, but there are many treatments that can help get you back on your feet. Here are three medications that are commonly used to treat depression: antidepressant medication, mood stabilizer medication, and antipsychotic medication.
antidepressant medication: antidepressant medications work by altering the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and stress levels. Some antidepressant medications include doxepin , amitriptyline , nortriptyline , and desipramine . Mood stabilizer medication: mood stabilizers work by keeping your mood stable. They can be prescribed as standalone medications or in combination with antidepressants. Some common mood stabilizers include lithium , valproate , divalproex , carbamazepine , and oxcarbazepine . Antipsychotic medication: antipsychotic medications work by reducing the symptoms of psychosis, which is a condition
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How To Reach Out For Depression Support
Look for support from people who make you feel safe and cared for. The person you talk to doesnt have to be able to fix you they just need to be a good listenersomeone wholl listen attentively and compassionately without being distracted or judging you.
Make face-time a priority. Phone calls, social media, and texting are great ways to stay in touch, but they dont replace good old-fashioned in-person quality time. The simple act of talking to someone face to face about how you feel can play a big role in relieving depression and keeping it away.
Try to keep up with social activities even if you dont feel like it. Often when youre depressed, it feels more comfortable to retreat into your shell, but being around other people will make you feel less depressed.
Find ways to support others. Its nice to receive support, but research shows you get an even bigger mood boost from providing support yourself. So find waysboth big and smallto help others: volunteer, be a listening ear for a friend, do something nice for somebody.
Care for a pet. While nothing can replace the human connection, pets can bring joy and companionship into your life and help you feel less isolated. Caring for a pet can also get you outside of yourself and give you a sense of being neededboth powerful antidotes to depression.
10 tips for staying connected
Tip : Get A Daily Dose Of Sunlight
Sunlight can help boost serotonin levels and improve your mood. Whenever possible, get outside during daylight hours and expose yourself to the sun for at least 15 minutes a day. Remove sunglasses and use sunscreen as needed.
- Take a walk on your lunch break, have your coffee outside, enjoy an al fresco meal, or spend time gardening.
- Double up on the benefits of sunlight by exercising outside. Try hiking, walking in a local park, or playing golf or tennis with a friend.
- Increase the amount of natural light in your home and workplace by opening blinds and drapes and sitting near windows.
- If you live somewhere with little winter sunshine, try using a light therapy box.
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Try Eating A Few More Nutritious Foods
Depression disrupts eating habits, which in turn can cause feelings of fatigue. Like implementing better sleeping habits, developing a more nutrient-rich diet can improve fatigue and exhaustion.
Some foods might help with depression, and a balanced diet helps to boost energy. This typically includes a range of unrefined carbs, proteins, and fats, with an emphasis on veggies, whole grains, and healthy oils.
Aside from just the types of food you should aim to eat, it also might be better to eat small meals and snacks every few hours than three large meals a day. More frequent eating, as opposed to a food overload in a few sittings, may result in more sustained fuel for your body.
This Quiz Can Help You Determine Whether Or Not You May Be Struggling With Depression
- Are you having feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness?
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Over Time Treatment For Depression Can Be Very
effective. However, with the right combination of medications and therapies, one can maintaina good quality of life despite occasional bouts of depression.
A large part of maintaining a good quality of life for people with depression is finding the right treatment combination that works best for them. For instance, some people require medication and therapy alone to manage their depression, while others find that a combination of both is more effective. Regardless of the treatment approach you take, there are certain things you can do to help improve your overall quality of life:
Stay connected to friends and family: People with depression often feel isolated, so its important to make connections with your loved ones. This can be done by attending social events or gatherings, or simply talking on the phone regularly.
People with depression often feel isolated, so its important to make connections with your loved ones. This can be done by attending social events or gatherings, or simply talking on the phone regularly. Take care of yourself physically: Eat balanced meals, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. Doing these things not only helps you feel better physically, but it can also boost your mood.
Eat balanced meals, get enough sleep, and exercise
Symptoms And Causes Of Depression
Symptoms of depression can be very different from person to person. However, as a general rule, if you are depressed you feel hopeless, sad and lacking interest in things that used to make you feel happy.
Depression symptoms are bad enough to interfere with work, social life and family life, and can persist for weeks or months.
Doctors describe depression in one of three ways, depending on how serious it is:
- mild depression it has some impact on daily life
- moderate depression it has a significant impact on your daily life
- severe depression this makes it nearly impossible to get through your life day to day
A few people with severe depression may have symptoms of psychotic depression.
Below is a list of depression symptoms it’s unlikely that one person would have all of them.
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Depression And Drugs And Alcohol
“Drowning your sorrows” is actually a bad idea when it comes to depression. Alcohol is categorised as a “strong depressant” which can make depression worse, and drinking or taking drugs to cope can lead to a downward spiral by having a negative affect on other parts of your life.
There’s evidence that cannabis can cause depression, particularly in teenagers, even if it helps you relax.
Recognize Not Everyone Understands
Acknowledge that there may be a reason behind their feelings that has nothing to do with you. There are lots of reasons that a person may not be able to understand a condition like depression. Their behavior towards you may be deeply ingrained and automatic and have nothing to do with you as a person.
Perhaps they grew up in an environment where they were taught that it was unacceptable to show vulnerability. Or perhaps their thoughts are influenced by the persistent and problematic stigma surrounding mental illness.
Sometimes unsupportive family and friends just need education about your depression so they can better understand what you are going through. There are numerous resources to educate family from sites such as NAMI and Mental Health America or local family education programs like NAMI’s excellent “Family to Family” program.
Don’t let mental health stigma prevent you from getting the help and support that you need. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of depression.
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In Order To Treat Depression Doctors May Prescribe Antidepressants Or Other Mental Health Treatments
But sometimes, people dont want to take antidepressants or any other mental health treatments. They may feel like theyre fighting a battle that they cant win on their own.Thats where self-help groups may come in handy. A self-help group is a group of people who meet to help each other deal with depression. This is a helpful option because it allows people to work together to find solutions for their problems.There are many different self-help groups out there, and each one offers a different approach to depression. Some groups offer support through sharing personal experiences, while others focus on providing resources and advice.The best way to find the right self-help group for you is to ask around. Talk to your friends, family members, or professionals about the groups they know of and see if any of them sound like a good fit for you.
Help Yourself Help Others
Build a Support Network
Depression is, by nature, isolating. Connecting with others who understand can be an important step toward a new, healthier life. Share your feelings and gain strength by being part of a supportive group.
Connect When You Need To
Being a part of our community connects you with a sympathetic, nonjudgemental peer group that can help you get through tough times, any time. We’re here all day, every day, to support each other.
Learn
Knowledge is power! Our members enjoy a convenient and safe place to share and learn. Knowing more about how to help yourself and help others is one of the most important steps you can take toward a happier, healthier life.
Be There for Others
Supportive communities are only successful when there is mutual care. It feels good to share what you know with those who can use it, and to express your appreciation for their help. Together, we find hope and happiness.
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Are There Warning Signs Of Suicide With Depression
Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Suicidal thoughts or intentions are serious. Warning signs include:
- A sudden switch from sadness to extreme calmness, or appearing to be happy
- Always talking or thinking about death
- Clinical depression that gets worse
- Taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving through red lights
- Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
- Putting affairs in order, like tying up loose ends or changing a will
- Saying things like “It would be better if I weren’t here” or “I want out”
- Talking about suicide
- Visiting or calling close friends and loved ones
If you or someone you know shows any of the above warning signs, call your local suicide hotline, contact a mental health professional right away, or go to the emergency room.
If Youre Taking An Antidepressant When You Get Pregnant Dont Stop Taking It Without Talking To Your Provider First
What is depression?
Depression is a medical condition that causes feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in things you like to do. It can affect how you feel, think and act and can interfere with your daily life. It needs treatment to get better.
Perinatal depression is depression that happens during pregnancy or in the first year after having a baby. Its one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. It affects up to 1 in 7 women . It includes postpartum depression , which is depression that happens after pregnancy.
Depression is not your fault. And treatment can help you feel better. Untreated perinatal depression can cause problems for you and your baby. If you think youre depressed, tell your health care provider right away.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Major depression is more than just feeling down for a few days. You may have depression if you have signs or symptoms of depression that last for more than 2 weeks. Signs of a condition are things someone else can see or know about you, like you have a rash or youre coughing. Symptoms are things you feel yourself that others cant see, like having a sore throat or feeling dizzy.
Signs and symptoms of depression include:
Changes in your feelings
- Feeling sad, hopeless or overwhelmed
- Feeling restless or moody
- Thinking about death or suicide
Changes in your everyday life
Changes in your body
Can depression during pregnancy affect you and your baby?
What causes depression?
More information
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