Treating depression with talking therapies
One common
feature of all psychotherapies is the therapist's belief that she will be
able to help modify your feelings, views and ideas about yourself by
counseling. A second common feature is that she is not there to find
answers to your problems, but to allow you to find your own answers
through the technique of exploratory discussion. By developing your own
strategies, you will gain in maturity and strength, so forming the
foundations for managing your future life.
Psychotherapy is far from being an easy option. It requires motivation,
commitment, time and money. It can be emotionally painful but it can
prove rewarding and of long-term emotional benefit. Psychotherapy is said
to be most effective when combined with medication.
Supportive psychotherapy
Talking to a friend when you are depressed can be of inestimable value.
Some forms of psychotherapy are similar, with the therapist not expected
to find solutions or make judgments. Supportive psychotherapy enables you
to air your problems as you perceive them to a sympathetic ear. This is a
necessary element in helping anyone recover from depression and, ideally,
also forms part of any medical consultation for any illness. Many
different health professionals are trained to offer this help, including
doctors, specialist nurses, counselors, psychologists and health
visitors.
Behavioral therapy
People with a phobia can find behavioral therapy helpful. You are
gradually exposed to the feared object or situation and shown that you
will not come to harm. You learn techniques for dealing with anxiety and
panic. After increasingly close encounters with the object of the phobia,
you will gain confidence in dealing with it.
Marital therapy
If you feel that the roots of your depression lie in your relationship
with your partner, marital therapy may be suggested. This gives you both
the opportunity to air your grievances, without fear of recrimination, in
the presence of an objective third party.
Cognitive
therapy
Together with interpersonal therapy (see below), cognitive therapy is at
the cutting edge of modern psychotherapies. Cognition describes thinking,
memory and perception. Cognitive therapy may be defined as help with how
we view events and situations. It works on the basis that as how we think
determines how we feel, by modifying our automatic reactions and
thoughts, our feelings and moods will be altered.
The aim of this therapy in treating depression is to identify and
challenge negative and pessimistic thought patterns with a view to
developing more realistic and more objective thoughts. These, by
definition, are more optimistic, so your mood improves and your
depression starts to lift. If you try cognitive therapy, you will be
encouraged to keep a diary to record your moods, thoughts and activities,
to challenge stereotypical behavior, to set targets and carry out
self-help tasks as homework and to instigate a system of rewards for each
small positive step and achievement.
This therapy is especially suitable for problems of low self-esteem and
for patterns of destructive behavior, such as uncontrollable anger,
compulsive gambling and alcoholism. It is most useful for people with
recurrent depression who have developed a negative and self-defeating way
of thinking about themselves so that any adversity can provoke a severe
depression.
Interpersonal therapy
Aimed at improving personal relationships, interpersonal therapy is based
on the view that the crucial factor in depression is your social network
or interpersonal relationships. These are determined, to some extent, by
life events and parental relationships. Three themes can commonly be seen
in people with depression: a failure to achieve a safe and harmonious
relationship with their parents despite attempts, the experience of being
told repeatedly that they are stupid, naughty, unlovable or incompetent
and the loss of a parent while still a child.
Interpersonal therapy can help you to explore your reactions to grief and
loss, conflicts with friends, family and colleagues, your social skills
and any problems you may have of adjusting to major life changes -
bereavement, divorce, retirement - with a view to modifying your
perceptions.
Group therapy
A group of people, united by the similarity of their problems, can be
given psychotherapy together. This can prove helpful in that it shows you
that you are not alone and that others are in a somewhat similar
situation. Each member can contribute to the progress and well-being of
the others by posing questions, offering constructive criticism,
appraisal and encouragement.
Key Facts:
It is important to talk to someone about your problems and about how you
feel. Talking to a sympathetic and non-judgmental professional enables
you to air your feelings, problems and worries freely and, through
discussion, to work out your own strategies and solutions. Everything
that you discuss with or tell to a professional therapist remains
confidential, just as it does with your family doctor. Marital therapy is
not always focused on reconciliation; it may, in some cases, be used to
help each partner to accept separation without bitterness.
Note:
Keep a diary to record your feelings at the end of each therapy sessions
and access your progress at the end of each month. Do not give up if you
do not feel at ease with and respect your therapist; seek a different one
by consulting your family doctor. Do not stop taking your medication when
you begin a talking therapy as they work best together. Many support
groups - alcoholics anonymous, slimmers' groups, quit-smoking groups and
compulsive shoppers' group - use the principles of group therapy. And all
talking cures require time and commitment from you and from the
therapist.
