Life Support Services: Can Counseling Help With Depression?
Depression is not just a simple mood disorder but a serious condition that most adults are affected by, individuals. Yes, it is a serious mood disorder that affects how a person feels, thinks, interacts with people, and handles daily life. It can cause sadness and loss of interest or pleasure in things you have enjoyed. Anyone can have depression and they can be affected by this mood disorder for some reasons. Depression can happen at any age but often begins during the adulthood stage.
Is depression treatable?
Life Supports Counselling proves that depression is highly treatable. It has been reported that 90% of people respond well to the treatment. One reason depression responds well to treatment is improvements found in medications and psychotherapy or the combination of the two. Finding a psychotherapist helps understand and work through the causes of depression and develop coping strategies dealing with the symptoms often the first step to feeling better.
Types of depression
Diagnosing depression needs an evaluation process that involves a mental health professional or physician. Generally, to be diagnosed with depression, symptoms must be present for two weeks. Here are the several types of depressive disorders:
- Major depressive disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder
There are specifiers of major depressive disorder, namely:
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Postpartum depression
Depression treatment
Depression is treated with medications, therapy or counseling, or a combination of the two. Antidepressant medications can be available in several types. It takes some time to find the right one for you, so work closely with a life support counseling service with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or even a counselor.
Treating depression with psychotherapy or counseling has proven helpful for both long-term and short-term cases of depression. There are several forms of therapy and experts choose among them. Some use an evidence-based approach, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Problem-solving therapy
The power of counseling
Treating depression with counseling or talk therapy is often the first option for mild to moderate depression. A lot of experts go this route before trying medication. If depression is more severe, it is required to take medication combined with counseling or therapy, both happen at the same time. Before you move forward, it is essential to understand the differences between psychotherapy and counseling.
Psychotherapy and counseling, these two terms are often used interchangeably. These two are similar and it is essential to note that psychotherapy with a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist is considered more of a long-term approach. It focuses on deeper issues and depression that impact your life. On the other hand, counseling is seen more as a short-term therapy focusing more on mild to moderate symptoms and outward behavior and functioning.
Now, if you think you have mild or moderate depression, you need the help of life support counseling professionals.