Depression Symptoms

Depression has gained in popularity in recent years, and is now one of the most common psychological disorders people suffer from. Depression treatment can last from six to 10 weeks, or can continue on indefinitely, depending on the severity of the case. While antidepressant medications are available, psychotherapy is the most effective method used to treat depression. Counselors or psychologists work with patients as they go through three levels of therapy: supportive, cognitive and problem solving.

Supportive counseling eases the pain of depression by letting the patient know he or she is not alone, and that there is someone who understands and empathizes with his or her condition. Although this stage of therapy is important because it lessens the feeling of hopelessness, many poorly trained counselors never get beyond this layer to give cognitive or problem solving counseling a chance.

During the cognitive phase of depression treatment, the patient learns to differentiate between critical problems and minor problems. The goal is to turn pessimistic ideas and low self esteem into more optimistic ideas and a higher self worth. While cognitive therapy addressed internal factors, the problem solving stage deals with external dynamics. The patient learns to define what situations are contributing to the depression, and finds ways to cope with those situations through behavior therapy. If personal relationships are causing stress, Interpersonal therapy might be necessary as well.

Antidepressant medications are also used as an optional treatment in certain situations. Primary care physicians or psychiatrists will prescribe and monitor the medications, which will be used in conjunction with, not in place of, psychotherapy. Medication will help ease some of the symptoms of depression, like appetite and sleep disturbances, fatigue or concentration problems, but it cannot cure the depression. Antidepressants are a useful tool to help increase the patient’s ability to comprehend and benefit from psychotherapy.