If Youre Up For Exercise Consider A Walk Around The Block
On days when you feel as if you cant get out of bed, exercise may seem like the last thing youd want to do. However, exercise and physical activity can help to lower symptoms of depression and boost energy levels.
future depressive episodes.
Even when you have the feeling that youre unable to or have very little energy, see if youd be willing to do the opposite of what your mood is telling you to do, such as curling up in bed. Instead, set a small goal for yourself, such as taking a walk around the block.
Online Therapy For Cbt
If you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from CBT, there are several telehealth platforms that can virtually connect you with a trained therapist. Here are some to consider:
- TalkSpace. After taking an initial assessment and choosing your subscription plan, youll be connected with someone from their network of over 3,000 licensed therapists.
- BetterHelp. This telehealth company has one of the largest networks of licensed therapists and offers individual, couples, and family counseling.
- Amwell. Along with talk therapy, Amwell can also connect you with online psychiatrists who can prescribe medications.
- 7 Cups. This telehealth network is significantly less expensive than other online therapy platforms. Plus, 7 Cups offers emotional support and access to speak to a trained volunteer at no charge.
What Does Therapy Do
Therapy is just as real a treatment for depression as medication. It produces long-lasting changes in brain function that show up in brain imaging studies. It changes patters of connectivity between brain regions, enabling patients to exert more cognitive control over emotional reactivity.
Because major depression is a recurrent disorder, psychotherapy has the dual value of relieving current suffering and preventing future episode of distress. It also reverses the social and occupational decline depressed patients typically experience. Through a strong alliance with a therapist, in meetings, or sessions, typically held weekly for a limited period of time, patients learn to identify the kinds of inner and outer experiences that overwhelm them emotionally and set off the downward spiral of negative thinking and feeling that incapacitates them. Patients also learn to identify the distorted thinking patterns that contribute to hopelessness and despair. By discovering their own resources for problem solving, patients are equipped to regain control of their life.
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What Are The Benefits Of Talking To A Therapist To Treat Depression
Is talk therapy an effective way to treat depression? While sitting down with a therapist doesnt provide instantaneous results, many people feel empowered to learn skills and tools to manage their depression.
Like other mental health and medical treatments, the goal is to alleviate immediate symptoms and create effective results in the long run.
How To Find Therapy For Depression
Depression is a common mental health condition that can be very debilitating, but is also treatable. Finding a therapist is often the first step towards recovery. Using an online therapist directory can help narrow your search to find therapists with specific training, specialities, and who are in-network with your insurance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most therapists are offering online therapy, so it may be a challenge to find a therapist who can see you in-person.
Finding a therapist who you like, trust, and relate to is more important than the specific type of depression therapy you receive. Research consistently shows that a strong therapeutic bond is the most important factor that determines whether or not someone benefits from therapy. Because of this, its always a good idea to ask for a brief consultation call before setting up a first appointment. Most therapists offer these 10-20 minute consultations free of charge.3
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What Mental Health Issues Do Stay
Many stay-at-home moms can feel isolated and lonely, explains Stacey Wright, a psychotherapist who specializes in maternal mental health, among other topics. Wright explains that working provides a built-in social connectioneven if you are connecting to your colleagues virtually. But for some stay-at-home-parents, the only other people they see or talk to all day are their kids, which doesnt exactly lend itself to the same type of conversations they would have with other adults, she continued.
Something else I see quite a lot is a loss of identity, says Wright. Even if someone is excited to transition from working to being home with their child, the mental shift can still be jarring.
Thats not to say that being a stay-at-home mom isnt also hard work. In fact, the number one mental health issue stay-at-home moms seem to face is burnout, says Orlesa Poole, a therapist focused specifically on motherhood. Theres a misconception that being a stay-at-home mom is easy, but its not, says Poole. When a stay-at-home mom is experiencing burnout, she may have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, find herself having no patience with her kids or her spouse, feel angry or start crying for seemingly no reason or be easily triggered. Its also not uncommon for stay-at-home moms experiencing burnout to resent motherhood or fantasize about escaping it, continues Poole.
Are Medications Useful For Treating Depression
Medications can be very helpful for reducing the symptoms of depression in some people, particularly for cases of moderate to severe depression. Some health care providers treating depression may favor using a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Given the side effects, any use of medication requires close monitoring by the physician who prescribes the drugs.
Some depressed individuals may prefer psychotherapy to the use of medications, especially if their depression is not severe. By conducting a thorough assessment, a licensed and trained mental health professional can help make recommendations about an effective course of treatment for an individual’s depression.
Depression can seriously impair a person’s ability to function in everyday situations. But the prospects for recovery for depressed individuals who seek appropriate professional care are very good. By working with a qualified and experienced therapist, those suffering from depression can help regain control of their lives.
American Psychological Association
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Geriatric Therapy: How To Help Older Adults With Depression
People are living longer but along with it are issues of emotional and psychiatric disorders. But dont despair, there are a number of therapeutic approaches and activities that help enhance resilience among the seniors. Read on!
As life expectancies continue to increase in industrialized countries, so too will the prevalence of emotional and psychiatric disorders such as depression among older people.
Fortunately, there are many effective therapeutic approaches and activities aimed at enhancing resilience among the elderly.
This article will describe geriatric therapy in general, applicable treatment options, the issue of depression among older people, helpful activities, and useful resources.
Consistent with the idea that aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength , the information and tools provided herein will aid individuals in enjoying a high level of health and satisfaction throughout their lifespan.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to . These detailed, science-based exercises will not only help you increase the compassion and kindness you show yourself but will also give you the tools to help your clients, students, or employees show more compassion to themselves.
How Do I Find A Therapist
You will want to find a qualified therapist — usually a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse, or counselor. If possible, find one who has expertise with treatment-resistant depression. Ask your doctor for recommendations. Or get in touch with an organization like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance . Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a treatment locator.
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Does Therapy Cure Depression
Therapy gives you the tools to manage depression on a daily basis. You can find coping strategies that suit your lifestyle, and you can bring closure to difficult moments from the past. Is that a cure for depression? Not necessarily. There is no guarantee that your depression will not creep up in the future. However, you can rest assured that the tools you learn in therapy will better prepare you for personal obstacles in the future.
If you are interest in depression counseling near you, contact Sherman Counseling. We have many specialists on staff, including grief counselors, trauma therapists, couples therapists, depression counselors, family counselors, and much more. You will be matched with the best therapist to help you overcome depression. Give us a call to start your journey.
How To Find The Right Treatment
Sticking to your treatment plan is one of the most important things you can do. Its easy to get discouraged in the first few weeks of treatment, and you may feel like you dont want to continue. All types of treatment can take a few months before you notice a difference.
It can also feel like youre doing much better, causing you to stop treatment altogether. Never stop treatment without consulting your doctor first.
You should feel comfortable talking to your therapist. If you dont, try switching to a new one. You may have to meet with several therapists before you find the one thats right for you.
You should also talk to your therapist about your feelings toward your therapy sessions and your overall treatment plan. This allows them to work with you and make changes if your treatment plan isnt working.
Finding the right treatment is often a trial-and-error process. If one doesnt work, its good to move on. If 2 or more months have gone by and youve stuck to a treatment but dont feel any relief from the depression, its likely not working for you. You should experience relief from depression within 3 months of starting a medication.
Talk to your doctor immediately if your:
- depression doesnt improve after several month of treatment
- symptoms have improved, but you still dont feel like yourself
- symptoms get worse
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Tips To Help You Get Started
- Identify sources of stress. Try keeping a journal and note stressful as well as positive events.
- Restructure priorities. Emphasize positive, effective behavior.
- Make time for recreational and pleasurable activities.
- Communicate. Explain and assert your needs to someone you trust write in a journal to express your feelings.
- Try to focus on positive outcomes and find methods to reduce and manage stress.
Remember, therapy involves evaluating your thoughts and behaviors, identifying stresses that contribute to depression, and working to modify both. People who actively participate in therapy recover more quickly and have fewer relapses.
Therapy is treatment that addresses specific causes of depression it is not a “quick fix.” It takes longer to begin to work than antidepressants, but there is evidence that suggests that its effects last longer. Antidepressants may be needed immediately in cases of severe depression, and the combination of therapy and medicine is very effective.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/02/2018.
References
When Counseling For Depression Is Necessary
Everybody gets the blues from time to time, whether because of a setback romantically, professionally, or personally or sometimes for no apparent reason at all. This is normal, and quite different from what mental health professionals mean when they say “depression.” However, clinical depression is a serious problem, and you don’t want to put off getting help if you need it. So how do you know when it’s time to reach out for help with depressive disorders?
It’s Okay to Reach Out
Everyone feels down from time to time, and anyone can get depression. If you feel depressed for at least two weeks, tell your healthcare provider right away and dont try and push past it. They will help you find a therapist or online help with depression. There’s no risk in reaching out to a mental health counselor if you start feeling better once you find a counselor, you can choose not to see the therapist any longer. Its important to know that depression counseling is there to help you if you need it.
What Depression Really Is
Depression is not just an emotional state it is a mental illness that affects both the mind and body. Symptoms include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, anxiety, loss of interest in activities, and changes in sleep and appetite. If symptoms like these have persisted for two weeks or more, with little or no let-up, depression might be a likely diagnosis.
People commonly ask the following questions about this topic:
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Types Of Therapy Used For Depression
When you start Googling, youll see many types of therapy out there, but dont stress too much about selecting just the right one for your depression.
The truth is, a variety of approaches are effective and often, therapists combine elements from several styles of psychotherapy, tailoring treatment to someones specific needs.
But familiarizing yourself with a few respected approaches can be helpful when finding a good therapist or online therapy tool.
According to the APA, two of the most common evidence-based therapies for depression are cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy . Heres a quick rundown:
What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
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How Is Depression Diagnosed
To be diagnosed with depression, an individual must have five depression symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least 2 weeks. One of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities. Children and adolescents may be irritable rather than sad.
If you think you may have depression, talk to your health care provider. Primary care providers routinely diagnose and treat depression and refer individuals to mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.
During the visit, your provider may ask when your symptoms began, how long they last, how often they occur, and if they keep you from going out or doing your usual activities. It may help to make some notes about your symptoms before your visit. Certain medications and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same depression symptoms. Your provider can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests.
Read NIMHs Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider to help prepare for and get the most out of your visit. For additional resources, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website.
A Look At Geriatric Group Therapy
Geriatric group therapy is an excellent way for older people to feel a sense of support and camaraderie with others dealing with similar issues.
Group therapy may also help to reduce social isolation. The limited research available suggests that group therapy is a good option for older people with depression .
Here are five examples of studies showing evidence for the benefits of group therapy among older people:
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Seeing A Psychologist About Depression
Licensed psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals with experience in helping patients recover from depression. Several different approaches to psychotherapy have been shown to help individuals recover from depression, especially those with mild to moderate depression. Psychotherapy can help people with depression to:
- Pinpoint life events that contribute to their depression and help them find ways to change, accept or adapt to those situations.
- Set realistic goals for the future.
- Identify distorted thought processes or unhelpful behaviors that contribute to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
- Develop skills to cope with symptoms and problems, and identify or prevent future episodes of depression.
Two of the most common evidence-based therapies for depression are cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
There is no one “right” approach to therapy. Therapists work closely with their patients to create tailored treatment plans to address their unique needs and concerns. Psychotherapy can help patients learn ways to better cope with stress and manage their symptoms of depression. These strategies can lead to recovery and enable patients to function at their best.
To find a licensed psychologist in your area, use our Psychologist Locator.
How Therapy Helps With Depression
The Nystrom & Associates provider consulted for this article is Jessica Auel, MS, LMFT, Outpatient Therapist.
Depression is a serious mood disorder and a common mental health problem. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 17 million adult Americans suffer from depression during any one-year period.
However, depression is highly treatable. Therapy helps with depression in many ways, keep reading to learn how.
Causes of Depression
First, we need to address how depression starts. While there are many factors that can cause depression, here are a few potential reasons:
- Biological factors
- Imbalanced mental and emotional aspects
- Changes in body chemistry
- Stressful or traumatic life events
Depression can range from mild to severe, but therapy helps with depression no matter the severity. The American Psychiatric Association states, Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80% and 90% of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment.
Lets dive into exactly how therapy helps with depression.
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Regain Control
In therapy, individuals will work with a trained professional to identify negative or distorted thinking patterns. While doing so, you will regain power over your life, as explained by Jessica Auel, MS, LMFT, Outpatient Therapist:
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Pinpoint Life Problems
Medication Can Be Useful
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