Depression
People suffering from depression often feel worthless, helpless or hopeless. They exhibit a loss of the ability to find pleasure in their usual activities or hobbies. They have changes in appetite, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. Additionally, some people experience difficulties with their memory, concentration, and their ability to make decisions.
Treatments that work for depression include Cognitive Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy.
Cognitive Therapy lowers the risk of depression in the future and is effective in approximately 70 percent of cases. Cognitive therapy focuses on:
- Identifying automatic thoughts
- Disputing these thoughts
- Making attributions
- Learning to avoid ruminative behaviour
- Challenging core beliefs that limit the person’s ability to grow and be happy
Interpersonal Therapy
Psychotherapy focuses on social relationships and interpersonal problems. This includes current disputes, frustrations, anxieties, and disappointments. It looks at four problem areas, including fights, role transitions, social deficits, and grief. Like cognitive therapy, it is short-term and brings relief to approximately 70 percent of cases.
Sometimes depression is best treated with a combination of therapy and antidepressant medication. Therapy has a great advantage in that it has been shown to decrease the frequency and severity of relapses.
Bipolar Disorder
People suffering from bipolar disorder experience extreme and unpredictable mood swings that range from hypomania or mania to full-blown depression. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is often missed and people tend to get treated as if they are experiencing depression. It is very important to note that treatment for bipolar disorder is different than treatment for depression. In addition to therapy, bipolar disorder frequently requires the use of medications.
Dysthymic Disorder
People with dysthymic disorder feel depressed for at least two years. It usually starts in childhood, early adolescence, or early adult life. People with dysthymic disorder usually suffer from very low self-esteem, feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and loneliness. Dysthymic disorder tends to be present for so long that people start to see it as part of their own personality. Symptoms are usually significant enough to cause social and occupational impairment. Dysthymic disorder is the kind of disorder that requires psychological intervention. Medication is usually not effective as a standalone treatment.