Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression treatment

Are you or someone you love struggling with Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you think, feel and behave. Mild to severe depression may occur in conjunction with the anxiety disorders and other psychological disorders. It may include a lack of pleasure in activities once enjoyed where you don’t feel like going out and doing the things you used to enjoy. Sometimes people dwell on past mistakes or experiences in which they felt shame or guilt. You may feel like sleeping the whole day. It can be a struggle to make decisions. You may interpret situations in a negative way and take on a negative outlook. Depression occurs more often in women than in men. In men depression often manifests as irritability, anger and tiredness. In women, depression tends to manifest as tiredness, guilt and worthlessness.Depression and Anxiety disorders are different. People with depression often experience symptoms similar to those of an anxiety disorder such as irritability and nervousness. Many people suffer from both disorders.

Most people feel anxious or down some of the time. It is normal for people to feel down and anxious in response to a difficult life event such as a loss of a job, going through a separation or the loss of a loved one. Perhaps you’re struggling in relationships and find it hard to connect with others. Maybe you’re having difficulties being present and productive at work. These feelings are normal reactions to some of life’s stressors and challenges in everyday life. Others experience these feelings often and without any particular reason making it more difficult to function as usual.  When your sad mood continues for two weeks or longer and occurs most of the day it may indicate depression which is a real illness. It can impact relationships, family function and lost work or school productivity.

Depression is Highly Treatable

Most people with depression feel better with antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or both. Cognitive behaviour therapy and its effectiveness for relieving symptoms of depression have been demonstrated repeatedly. Regardless of the cause of your depression, if you have suffered a loss and cannot seem to bounce back or are experiencing feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, cognitive behaviour therapy can be helpful for you. In a safe space, we can identify and address your depression. Cognitive behaviour therapy is a type of treatment that is based on scientific evidence and research findings commonly referred to as an evidence-based practice.  Cognitive behaviour therapists focus more on the current situation and its solution rather than on the past. We can replace ways of living that do not work well with ways of living that work. We can challenge your negative thinking and develop strategies to change your behaviour and achieve your goals in life.

Cognitive behaviour therapy has been shown to significantly reduce the recurrence of depression over a one to two year period following treatment. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Cognitive behaviour therapy is as effective as anti-depressant medications in mild to moderate depression. Antidepressant medications can also be very helpful in treating depression and can be used together with psychotherapy in cases of chronic, severe or complex presentations of depression.