Depression is a mental health disorder. It is one of the most common forms of mental illness in the U.S. While many people feel times of sadness, those with depression have profound sadness, guilt, helplessness, and hopelessness. Often, they don’t even know why they can’t feel better or feel pleasure about the good things in their life. Therapy for depression can help. It’s with the help of health and wellness therapy that many people facing this debilitating condition can find a way forward that’s happy again.
Therapy for Depression Depends on the Type
When you work with a therapist at a depression treatment center, you’ll have a formal assessment to determine what type of depression you have. There are numerous types, each one focused on a different area. Some examples include:
- Anxious distress – Depression with worry about possible events or loss of control
- Melancholic features – A severe form of depression with a lack of response to something that used to bring happiness often with feelings of guilt or agitation
- Mixed features – This condition often indicates depression with mania at the same time, often leading to high self-esteem and talking too much.
- Psychotic features – A type of depression that may involve delusions or hallucinations
- Atypical features – A form that includes a temporary ability to be happy, excessive sleep, or sensitivity to rejection
There are other forms. Your treatment provider will determine what is happening to you based on your symptoms of depression.
Therapy for Depression Also Depends on Cause
From there, it is also important to look at the cause of depression. For some people, the cause can be treated, leading to improvements. For some people, there is a past trauma that is limiting your happiness or your ability to move on. Treatment for trauma can significantly improve this type of depression.
Other times, the problem may be related to hormone regulation or a chemical imbalance. Medications may offer some help for these specific needs. It takes some diagnostic testing to determine if this is the case.
Common Types of Therapy for Depression
With mental health treatment programs, treatment is individualized to meet your specific needs and goals. Yet, there are some common types of therapy that are commonly used to help those battling depression. This includes treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR therapy.
The goal of therapy in this format is to provide tools and resources to help a person to overcome the challenges they face. Some of the therapies are designed to address specific concerns, such as negative thinking or increasing stress management. Generally, therapy is designed to address specific areas and improve them such as:
- Improving relationships and experiences by building from positive interactions with other people
- Adjusting to a crisis that is currently occurring
- Bringing awareness to negative thoughts and beliefs and, instead, focusing on more positive outcome possibilities
- Establishing realistic goals and expectations
- Improving ways to manage stress, cope with problems, and build a successful future from it
Many people need to learn that they can experience pleasure again. They also need to regain a sense of control in their life. Sometimes, to ease depression symptoms, a person simply needs to work on the positive aspects of their life and leave behind the pain. This may take making big decisions. Yet, depression is so debilitating, no matter what the challenge is, it is worth going through to reduce these symptoms.
There are many types of therapy available to help men and women overcome the pain of depression. To get to that point, a full assessment is necessary. It is also necessary to work with a therapist who can provide one-on-one support and guidance for you. Therapy for depression can change your future if you embrace it and how it works.