Is Counselling Good For Depression? Contrary to mainstream belief, depression can be quite a serious and detrimental mood disorder. Surveys show that more than 17 million Americans have already suffered from a significant depressive episode just last year. Learn how counselling for depression can help, and find a best therapist today.
This number is nowhere close to reducing, a serious problem in modern society. Depressive episodes can affect your life in a number of ways. For starters, it will alter how you interact, feel or even think in your daily life.
Typically, symptoms include a feeling of sadness and severe loss of pleasure or even interest in things you once used to like. There is no said prerequisite for someone to feel depressed. It can happen at any age but most commonly begins after adulthood.
Luckily, depression is a highly treatable condition, with more than 85% of its patients responding well to treatment. Usually, treatments for such symptoms include psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.
Seeking help from the best psychologist can help you realise and work through the underlying causes. This further helps you develop coping strategies that eventually allow you to deal with the symptoms. Before you understand how counselling can greatly help your condition, you need to learn more about depression.
What Are Some Common Types Of Depression?
A depressive episode in your life might lead to similar symptoms, but that does not mean everyone gets affected the same way. There are many types of depression, as noted by the DSM-5, popularly consisting of persistent depressive disorder and major depressive disorder.
More so, there are a couple of specifiers for the latter, like major depressive order with seasonal pattern or peripartum onset. You will need a mental and physical evaluation process to get the right treatment. Typically, if you witness any symptoms for more than two weeks, you should get checked.
The Best Way to Treat Depression
Treating depression can have several different approaches. However, it is usually treated with medication like antidepressants or through therapy. Regarding medications, there are many different options you can find. Even the top psychologists will require some evaluation sessions to find the best-suited medication for you since there are a lot of options.
So it is a very good idea to work closely with your doctor and not hide any symptoms you might have. However, even with the right medication, it can take time to see the results, so you have to be patient and trust the process.
When it comes to therapy, however, it is quite helpful for both long and short-term cases of depression. Much like medication, therapy also involves a number of different approaches.
Some of the most common approaches include evidence-based applications like interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, problem-solving therapy, career counselling, and psychotherapy.
How Do Psychotherapy And Counselling Differ?
Also known as ‘talk therapy, ‘ counselling is perhaps the therapist’s first step to treat moderate depression. Many experts often choose this route before they include medication in the treatment.
However, if your depression is more serious, a combination of therapy and medication might be required. Before you go any further, you first need to understand the differences between counselling and psychotherapy.
Although counselling and psychotherapy are often used synonymously and are quite similar, there are certain differences you should know of. Psychotherapy with a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist is more of a long-term process aiming to resolve deeper issues, consequently depression.
This can truly alter your daily habits and change your life for the better. On the other hand, counselling is more of a short-term approach and focuses more on behaviour and outward functioning. This is more commonly used to treat mild to moderate symptoms.
Things To Know About Counselling For Depression
What kind of therapy you need is often determined by the symptoms and recurrence of depressive episodes you have. For instance, if it has been a long time and symptoms are serious, you will need to work with a psychologist or psychiatrist.
This is because they will help you overcome more deeply rooted and past issues. However, if the symptoms are rather recent and not as serious, counselling sessions with a therapist can work wonders.
A career counselling session often involves the therapist helping you open up about your problems. This further allows them to understand the issues impacting your life. Their main role is to listen, understand, offer feedback and work on developing strategies that help you cope. They will also constantly track your progress, adjusting the sessions accordingly.
While CBT treatments are more goal-oriented, encouraging you to make positive changes in life, IPT is a short-term treatment used to deal with poor social support and interpersonal conflict. A quick consultation with your therapist before you start the treatment can help you ensure you opt for the right treatment. Rest assured, with the right help, you can expect to see results in no time.
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Now that you know how counselling can help you deal with your depression, you can rely on Dr. Dipti Yadav to find the required help. They have some of the best professionals in town and ensure you a fast recovery. With our high-standard services, there is nothing you need to worry about.