Depression Treatment Approaches There are a variety of ways to treat depression There are a variety of treatment options for depression Psychotherapy, sometimes referred to as talk therapy, is a method to develop new skills and find support It can be conducted by yourself or in groups and could involve a social worker, psychiatrist or counselor Another important part of the treatment is medication Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is a type of psychotherapy that can alleviate symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts and behaviors are connected Unhelpful or negative beliefs or thoughts can cause emotional distress and lead to self-defeating behavior A therapist can assist you to identify negative patterns and teach you new strategies to react in various situations A therapist will utilize interactive sessions of question and answer to get to the root of your emotional problems They will encourage to discuss those times when you are feeling anxious and depressed Together, you'll identify unhealthy patterns of thought or behavior, as well as distorted perceptions that contribute to your depression and anxiety Your therapist will also help you create and implement self-help strategies to help you manage your concerns now These techniques are sometimes referred to "cognitive techniques for reorganizing" and include goals, journaling, and mindfulness meditation Your therapist may also suggest that you try new behaviors and coping strategies in controlled, safe settings to help you develop your new skills CBT has been shown to be effective in several studies for psychiatric problems that include anxiety, depression disorders and issues with substance abuse It can be performed as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with an psychiatric drug https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/depression-treatment is a procedure that requires commitment and willingness to change If you're interested in finding out more about the benefits of this therapy take a look at speaking with your doctor or an expert therapist who is trained in CBT You can also verify your health insurance to see whether they cover these services Online resources are available to those with limited incomes who need financial assistance The first step in regaining your health and a healthier lifestyle is to seek assistance when you require it Interpersonal Therapy The idea was developed by the late psychiatrist Gerald Klerman, IPT is another type of talking therapy that targets specific issues that contribute to depression It's based on the belief that depression is a biological predisposition and that problems in one's social environment can activate it It also posits that the interpersonal challenges that trigger depression can be dealt with by attending to the relationship difficulties that make symptoms worse IPT is not like other psychotherapies that concentrate on the subconscious motives of a person's behavior or previous traumas This treatment approach recognizes that people with depression have difficulty expressing and coping with emotions like anger and frustrated, and that this can affect relationships with family, partners, and friends The first phase of IPT lasts up to three sessions and is focused on identifying which area of interaction may be causing the depressive symptoms Your therapist will ask that you review all your significant relationships both past and present and group them into four possible areas of concern grieving that is unresolved often caused by the loss of an individual loved one or a transition in your role, a role dispute, or interpersonal issues In the middle of IPT typically occurs between sessions four to 14 sessions, your therapist will use specific strategies to tackle the challenge area that's being addressed, for example, helping you to work through delayed or disorganized grief following the death of a loved one, helping you with managing difficult changes in relationships or expressing and validating your anger, or establishing more flexible ways of communicating with others Your therapist will help identify the skills you've learned during treatment and can apply at home They'll also encourage you to maintain contact with your therapist beyond sessions, like weekly phone calls or monthly face to face meetings to prevent relapse and continue building your abilities The therapist might also suggest maintenance sessions for people suffering from mental health issues that are recurring or chronic such as PTSD Dialectical Behavior Therapy DBT is a well-tested treatment method developed by psychologist Marsha Linhan to treat borderline personality disorder BPD The therapy focuses on teaching people to manage their emotions and behavior learn skills that will help them build healthy relationships, and manage their distress DBT is divided into four stages The first stage focuses primarily on changing your reaction to situations like when you feel upset or sad The second phase helps you build a sense regulation, so you can manage your emotions better The third stage will teach you how to maintain your efforts for change and build an existence that is worth living The fourth and final phase will teach you how to apply the skills you've learned from therapy on a regular basis, in addition to your weekly sessions with your therapist Your therapist will utilize tools like homework assignments, phone coaching, and other tools to show you how to apply these techniques A therapist trained in DBT can help you realize that your negative thoughts and emotions aren't necessarily "wrong" and are valid as a result of the challenges you've experienced in your life They'll also help you learn to reconcile and integrate seemingly contradictory strategies, including acceptance and change DBT has been proven to be effective in treating a wide range of disorders One study compared DBT standard with treatment as usual for women with BPD It concluded that DBT patients showed significantly lower suicide attempts, parasuicide and hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders, as well as parasuicidal behaviours than the control group DBT was also associated with reduced anxiety and improved functioning In addition to individual and group therapy sessions, DBT includes practice at home eg, by using a phone coach and homework regularly scheduled sessions with a therapist proficient in DBT and participation in an DBT consultation team The team consists of therapists that meet regularly to discuss common clinical issues such as how to deal with suicidal clients or how to keep them engaged in therapy The team meeting is a time for the therapists are encouraged, even in difficult situations, to be compassionate and non-judgmental with their patients They are also encouraged and supported to avoid burnout and monitored for conformity with DBT procedures Medication Many people who suffer from depression discover that medication can help ease symptoms and promote recovery Speak to your doctor about the many options available if you are looking for antidepressants Every body reacts in a different way to medication therefore it could take some time before you find the right combination of drugs for you Talk to your doctor about changes to your lifestyle such as improved sleep or exercise that may aid in overcoming depression If your depression is not responding to treatment or medication, you may need to consult with a specialist such as psychiatrist They will review your medical background and conduct a thorough examination of you They will be able to test if there are any underlying medical conditions that could be causing your depression, for instance hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis They can also test for depression using an instrument called pharmacogenetic tests, which can predict your body's reaction to certain medications using genetic markers These tests are not currently covered by insurance In some instances, doctors may include a medication in a depressant in order to increase its effectiveness This is known as an augmentation therapy Medications such as aripiprazole Abilify, brexpiprazole Rexulti or quetiapine Seroquel XR are FDA-approved for this reason Some doctors might prescribe ketamine, an anesthetic drug that can provide quick relief for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression This procedure is done in a clinic or hospital setting Talk therapy is an important element of treating depression However, some people are reluctant to seek help because they believe that the disorder will go away by itself or that therapy is ineffective Talk therapy can teach you techniques and insights that will help speed recovery and stop depression from recurring, even if you have to take medication Talk therapies can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other depression treatments such as lifestyle changes It is essential to adhere to your treatment schedule and keep up with all therapy sessions, even if it's not the case that you feel depressed Do not skip your medication, either If you stop taking the medication, you'll suffer withdrawal symptoms and your depression may return