Practically 95% of us go through a state of depression at some point in our lives and it is one of the most common pathologies in psychology consultations. Depression exists when we suffer a frequent alteration of our mood, producing in us a state of psychological decay, normally related to disinterest, sadness, demoralization, decreased self-esteem…etc.
In this PsychologyOnline article, we explain What is the best psychological treatment for depression.
Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or emptiness.
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism.
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness.
Irritability and restlessness.
Loss of interest in leisure activities that were previously pleasurable.
Fatigue and lack of energy.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions.
Insomnia or sleeping excessively.
Overeating, loss of appetite…
Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
Persistent physical pain and discomfort (headaches, digestive problems, muscle pain).
Psychological treatment of depression
Which is the most suitable? We are not all the same nor do we benefit from the same therapies. Based on my experience in the treatment of depression, we must work with different techniques and procedures that we adapt to the person and their particular situation, taking into account their behaviors, their personal relationships and their life history. The therapy is aimed at helping the patient learn to resolve current and/or past problems and conflicts, through understanding oneself and one’s emotional reactions, as well as increasing self-confidence and learning strategies. appropriate coping strategies that allow you to resolve difficult situations. The objective is that the person becomes autonomous boost your self-esteem and know how to independently face situations that previously made you uncomfortable.
Although I firmly believe that the therapy must be adapted to the patient using the most appropriate one for him, we can name the most used psychological therapies due to their specific nature for depression: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT).
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be as effective as interpersonal psychotherapy (slower in achieving objectives than CBT and pharmacotherapy) and pharmacological therapy, which has made it the psychotherapeutic therapy of choice in the treatment of depression. moderate, severe or resistant.
The duration of therapy will vary depending on the type of depression diagnosed, the patient’s personal situation and their evolution. In patients with severe or chronic depression, if psychotherapeutic therapy is associated with pharmacological treatment, the effectiveness will always be greater than any of these therapies alone.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, associated with maintenance treatment, contributes to increasing its effectiveness to prevent the appearance of relapses. This is especially beneficial for those patients with a history of relapses, or who present residual symptoms, since they are those who have a higher risk of suffering depressive episodes again.
Other recommendations for the treatment of depression
Self-help guided by the psychologist: Through the advice of the psychologist in question, the patient’s training in self-help helps them acquire self-control and symptom management skills. Mental Training, Specific Books, Relaxation Audios, NLP Audios, Self-analysis Tests…etc. are some examples of the application of self-help to the treatment of depression.
Physical exercise: The ability of physical exercise to improve personal well-being, both physical and mental, is increasingly scientifically proven. In patients with mild-moderate depression, a moderate intensity exercise program of 40-45 minutes, 2-3 times a week, for a period of 10 to 12 weeks, could result in a clear improvement in depressive symptoms. .
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Without being a drug, Hypericum or St. John’s Wort has antidepressant properties confirmed in numerous studies. My experience in consultation is very good, especially in mild-moderate depression, but it should be used with caution because it could present interactions with other medications and should always be taken under the prescription and supervision of a health professional.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Psychological treatment for depression we recommend that you enter our Clinical Psychology category.
