Many people go through depression in their lives. It is one of the common diseases, but if not treated at the right time, it can become long-term and cause various issues in health as well as in daily lifestyle.
In case you are looking for the best therapy to overcome your depression, then you are in the right place. Read on further to know more about this.
Overview
Depression is one of the most prevalent and critical types of mental illnesses, which afflicts many individuals worldwide. These include persistent symptoms of deep depression, hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness.
They are also accompanied by a loss of interest, sleep disorder, appetite alterations, and suicidal ideologies. When depression disrupts one’s everyday routine, work, personal relations, and enjoyment of life are affected.
Psychotherapists employ various therapeutic approaches to treat depression, and the approaches are often based on the severity of the depression and the individual’s response to psychotherapy. In cases where there is a risk of self-harm or suicide, medication may be prescribed to provide more immediate relief.
The decision to use medication is a very personal choice that should be decided in consultation with a mental health expert after a careful evaluation of the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and preferences.
Because some individuals would suffer from treatment-resistant depression in which they would not get well even after trying various doses of different brands of antidepressants.
It is still possible to conquer depression in those who are depressed but are not responding to medication. You can choose other therapeutic techniques available in a therapist’s center in New York that help to reduce the intensity of your symptoms while improving your quality of life at the same time. Know about them by proceeding further.
Causes and Symptoms of Depression
Various causes trigger depression, while in some cases, it occurs due to several overlapping symptoms.
Causes that are likely to play a role include:
- Genetic features: Some individuals could have inherited this susceptibility to depression from their ancestors.
- Changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels: The chemical messengers such as neurotransmitters are responsible for moods and emotions. These include imbalances of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, among others, that might cause depression.
- Environmental factors, such as exposure to trauma or lack of social support, can contribute to the development of depression. This is because individuals who experience stressful or traumatic life events like abuse, violence, loss, or loneliness may have difficulty coping with their lifestyle, leading to the development of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Psychological and social factors: For example, people with low self-esteem, pessimism, or perfectionism are prone to depression, and social characteristics such as poverty, discrimination, and stigma can also affect mental health.
Some of the common symptoms of depression are:
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness.
- Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration, even over small matters.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports.
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and hypersomnia, can manifest as either excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting enough sleep or sleeping for excessively long periods.
- Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort.
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain.
- Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness.
- Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements.
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame.
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things.
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide.
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.
If you experience some of the following signs and symptoms of depression nearly every day for at least two weeks, you may be living with depression.
Depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a treatable medical condition that improves with proper care and attention.
If you think you may have depression, please seek professional help at GS Mental Health & Wellness Center in Manhattan and New York as soon as possible. You are not alone, and there is hope for recovery.
Why to Choose a Psychotherapist for Depression?
Talk therapy or counseling is another name for psychotherapy – exploring your internal world (emotions, thoughts, and behaviors) with an experienced mental health specialist. As such, psychotherapy will assist in the identification of negative patterns, stress management, and dealing with trauma and loss.
Additionally, it will facilitate the development of resilience skills, self-esteem, and relations with others. Moreover, psychotherapy may give some direction regarding guidance on issues whereby one is experiencing difficulty.
Psychotherapy can also come in other forms, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Depending on what you need and like, each has its objectives, methods, and length.
Several studies indicate that psychotherapy is the best and most holistic option for overcoming depression in a natural way.
So, please feel free to visit GS Mental Health & Wellness in New York for better care.
Treatments Used by Psychotherapists for Depression
It is combined with psychotherapy and psychostimulant drugs. Psychotherapy is a lot, and some people may react differently to another type other than this type.
1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
The therapist helps to reveal the unhealthy thinking that leads to damaging behaviors or responses as well as negative beliefs about oneself in CBT.
The therapists may give you homework or the so-called thoughts, in which you try to replace your negative thoughts with the most optimistic ones.
2. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal relations. Its focus on both acceptance and change empowers individuals to develop healthy coping skills and improve their quality of life.
Particularly, it works well with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients, though can be used on others like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
DBT typically involves individual therapy sessions and group skills training. Individual therapy focuses on using techniques of DBT to address personal issues, while group skills training in therapy sessions offers a safe space to practice and acquire new techniques.
3. Psychodynamic therapy
The psychodynamics treatment is about talking about your daily living and how you may overcome these challenges.
Psychodynamic therapy is based on the idea of a trusted Source that your unconscious childhood experiences shape your present-day reality.
In this form of therapy, your therapist at the New York clinic will help you reflect and examine your childhood and experiences to help you understand and cope with your life.
FAQs for Treating Depression
When should I seek professional help for depression?
You have to consult a health care provider if your depression symptoms last beyond two weeks and cause disturbance in your normal lifestyle relationship with people, among many other areas of your life and work. A therapist and any type of mental health professional willing to offer guidance and support may also be helpful.
What are the available treatments for depression?
The treatments offered for depression involve counseling (psychotherapy), antidepressant drugs, making simple life adjustments, and gaining a supportive network of friends and relatives. This can require therapies or even a combination of therapies and medicines in the more serious instances.
Is therapy alone enough to treat depression?
Depression treatment for some individuals requires only talking therapies. Nevertheless, therapeutic procedures and drug administration may sometimes become necessary for better outcomes. It depends on how severe the symptoms are and whether one requires help.
Can I overcome depression without professional help?
Some people can get respite with do-it-yourself ways, but professional assistance is usually necessary for total recovery. Mental health psychotherapists can advise you on improving your life with evidence-based interventions.
Book A Session Now
Depression is common, and it can be temporary, or it can be a long-term challenge. Just relaying on medication treatment is not enough to make your depression go away completely.
However, treatment often makes symptoms more manageable. Managing symptoms of depression involves finding the right combination of medications and therapy.
Talk with your healthcare professional at GS Mental Health & Wellness in New York if one treatment doesn’t work. They can help you create a different treatment plan that may work better in helping you manage your condition.
