What treatments help with depression?

Major depression makes you feel hopeless and helpless. In fact, you might think that you will never find the right treatment. However, this belief is not true. There is a lot that you can do to fight back against depression. And yes, depression is treatable. Most people get better with treatment. In fact, the problem is that there are so many treatments for depression out there, and not all of them are effective or even safe.

If you wonder what treatments are available for depression that will actually help you?

Here are four proven depression treatments.

#1 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(CBT) has been found to be just as effective as medication in treating depression for most people. CBT can help you combat depression by learning to identify and replace thoughts that lead to negative emotions. Because depression tends to affect the way you think, it skews thinking towards the negative. So, when you are depressed, your thoughts are predominantly pessimistic. Negative thinking becomes a habit you are unaware you have.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps you identify when your thoughts are negative and teaches you how to replace harmful, untrue thoughts with ones that are more positive and realistic. When you have more positive thoughts, it can lead to lasting changes in behavior. Many of our therapists specialize in CBT.

#2 Family and Marriage Therapy

Struggling with depression affects your marriage and the entire family, which is why couples or family therapy can be helpful for people with depression. In fact, the consequences of depression can really impact a relationship. For instance, the depressed partner may become distant, or they may stop working, which causes the other partner to become resentful. Family or marriage counseling can help your partner understand your depression better and keep the lines of communication open.

#3 Medications

If you have severe or chronic depression, antidepressant medications can be helpful. Research has found that medications plus CBT are more effective than just medications alone.

There are various types of medications for depression. The most common are:

• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – These are the newest type of antidepressant compared to SSRIs. Cymbalta, Effexor, and Pristiq are all SNRIs.

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – These medications include Prozac, Celexa, and Zoloft.

All medications have side effects. It is not uncommon for people to be prescribed several antidepressants before finding the one that works for them. The critical thing to remember is to talk to your doctor if you have side effects or other issues with medications. As therapists, we don’t prescribe medication and would refer you to your medical doctor if this is an option.

#4 Support Groups

Depression is a chronic and debilitating illness. That is why it is so important to seek support. Just as cancer support groups help people with cancer cope with their disease, support groups help people with depression in much the same way. Depression support groups involve receiving support from peers and giving others encouragement and support, as well. There are many depression support groups, both online and in the community. To find a depression support group near you, talk with your therapist.

At the Relationship Therapy Center, we provide a range of therapeutic services to residents in the greater Sacramento and surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment and get help for depression and anxiety today.

References:

#1 http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/handle/1871/48057/2013%20Cuijpers,%20Meta%20CBT,%20Can%20J%20Psychiatry.pdf?sequence=1

#2

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3052992/

Therapy in Roseville, CA, Fair Oaks, CA, or Online in California:

If you are ready to change your life for the better, we can help. Our therapists are ready to support you in your journey towards creating a healthy and happy lifestyle. To begin counseling in Roseville, CA area, or counseling in Fair Oaks, please follow these three simple steps:

• 1. Contact our counseling office to get more information about what therapy would be best for you and to schedule a free consultation.
• 2. Make an appointment with one of our highly trained therapists
• 3. Find support and healing in your life!

Services Offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:

Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville, CA and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our services include but are not limited to: Couples counseling, counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Our individual therapy services include, anxiety treatment, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, and individual relationship counseling. We also offer online counseling to California residents. Please contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you and your loved ones.