Although it’s 2024, many people still don’t understand depression and its symptoms. Family and friends are quick to dismiss the problem, telling a person to “just snap out of it.” To make matters worse, the stigma surrounding the disorder is found in all facets of society, from the lowest layers to university professors.
Lack of understanding also affects the implementation and availability of treatments. “Parents are often reluctant to take their child to a doctor, thinking that depression will simply go away,” warns Westside Psychology, a depression therapist in New York. According to these professionals, unfortunate individuals should seek medical advice as soon as possible to put an end to their suffering.
To properly address the issue, we need to approach it from a scientific perspective and use therapy that truly works. In this article, we’ll break down the medically approved treatments such as interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Medication
Antidepressants are the first line of defense for people suffering from this condition. The drugs work by blocking neurotransmitters in the human brain, which makes patients less susceptible to external stimuli. It’s worth noting it takes several weeks for antidepressants to kick in and provide the necessary relief.
The best thing about drugs is that most of them are well-researched. Unlike some other therapies, you know what you’re getting and what kind of drawbacks to expect. Most importantly, antidepressants take the edge off and allow patients to reintegrate into society.
Unfortunately, finding the right medication is usually tricky. Patients have to switch between several products to find the one that suits them. As for other drawbacks, antidepressants may have adverse effects on your sex drive, weight, and sleep. They’re also quite expensive, which will take a toll on your budget after a while.
Interpersonal Therapy
According to ISIPT (International Society for Interpersonal Therapy), depression consists of three main components:
- Social component
- Personality problems
- Symptom formatting
Out of these three, interpersonal therapy focuses on social factors. Basically, any disruption to our social functioning can lead to depression. This includes broken relationships with parents, children, and partners, as well as any type of shift in social status and acceptance. Nowadays, many people experience depression due to lacking interaction with other people.
During sessions, therapists are trying to determine the severity of these issues and whether a person can move past them. They will utilize a combination of problem-solving methods, communication training, and other techniques for solving interpersonal issues. Experts’ main goal is to help a person reflect upon the situation and uncover potential misconceptions and exaggerations.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is a common treatment for patients suffering from this mental ailment. As the name implies, CBT is a combination of behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy, each providing certain benefits for the patient.
The main goal of this therapy is to understand the person’s perspective and provide them with a healthier perspective on things. During CBT, patients are given tools that would help them become more flexible in daily life. Here are a few things the therapy wishes to solve:
- Detect overblown or inaccurate beliefs and try to correct them
- Address negative self-talk that commonly comes with depression
- Equip patients with problem-solving techniques
- Improve attitude toward others and social relationships
- Stimulate activities that would be more rewarding and healthier for the patient
Basically, CBT tries to regulate patients so they can better reintegrate into society. It tackles behavioral extremes, which led to depression in the first place.
Problem Solving Therapy
Problem solving therapy is not only great for depression, but it can also assist people dealing with anxiety, high stress, and those who are experiencing interpersonal issues. As with any other depression treatment, therapists’ main goal is to identify the issue a person is struggling with and come up with realistic solutions.
Unlike some other treatments on the list, problem solving therapy is much more on point. It doesn’t necessarily deal with patients’ mental state and will focus on the root cause of their suffering. Even if a patient doesn’t solve their problems, they should feel as if they have much more control over their life.
During sessions, therapists and patients will work on the following:
- Communication skills, which are vital for those suffering from social problems
- Problem-solving tasks
- Psycho-education for tackling depression on a daily basis
- Homework assignments that will motivate a patient when they leave the office
It’s worth noting that problem solving therapy is a short-term process and can be combined with other approaches.
Assertive Community Treatment
If a patient has been hospitalized several times and exhibits extreme symptoms, ACT or Assertive Community Treatment is probably the best option. The thing that makes this therapy unique is the fact a patient will have a team of 10 to 12 experts at their disposal, including nurses, psychiatrists, vocalization specialists, etc.
During the therapy, a suffering individual receives around-the-clock care. ACT includes a combination of different activities and processes, such as crisis intervention, case management, medication management, rehabilitation services, and more. Basically, a person should have all their needs taken care of for maximum results.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Perhaps the most extreme, most unpredictable treatment is electroconvulsive or shock therapy. During the process, a team of specialists will run an electric current through the patient’s brain in an attempt to rewire neurons.
Given that therapy can potentially lead to cellular damage, doctors recommend it as a last-ditch effort. For example, it is recommended for people with severe depression or mania, high treatment resistance, catatonia, and demented people who are aggressive or suffering from agitation.
Last Thoughts
Despite all the issues and stigma surrounding depression, we have several great treatments meant to alleviate symptoms. Besides medication, patients can opt for various cognitive, family, and electroconvulsive procedures meant to change their perspective or brain chemistry.
Whatever you decide to do, we suggest you consult with several doctors before proceeding with treatment. Some of them can be quite invasive, which is why you should get a second opinion beforehand.