There are many types of therapy available. Three of the more common methods used in depression treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Often, a blended approach is used.
The treatment of depression has been divided into three phases: acute (leading to clinical response and remission of symptoms); continuation (prevention of symptom relapse); and maintenance (prevention of new episodes or recurrences).
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.
Mental health can be broken down further into three major components: cognitive health, emotional health, and behavioral health.
The first step in treating clinical depression is recognizing that you are depressed. The second step is seeking help. These two steps may in fact be the hardest part of the entire treatment process.
Types of major depression include melancholia, psychotic and antenatal or postnatal. You may be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe depression.
TREATMENT FOR MAJOR DEPRESSION — For the initial treatment of major depression, we suggest a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy.
Further resources and information. Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a tool you can use to stay well and make your life your own. It teaches you how to use some key concepts of recovery – hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy and support – in your daily life.
Recovery identifies four dimensions to support a healthy life. These include health, home, purpose, and community. An important foundation for all these dimensions is HOPE.
There are a number of different approaches used by professional counsellors. Perhaps the three main approaches are psychodynamic, humanistic and behavioural. Each of these has a different theory and ideas underpinning it, and the therapists and counsellors using each will approach problems and issues in different ways.
There are effective treatments for depression, including medications (such as antidepressants), along with talk therapy. Most people do best by using both. If standard treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies are also options that may be explored.
Stage 3: Lack of Interest in Activities You Once Loved
The prospect of having fun feels uncomfortable or impossible, leading to inhibition around social activities, friendships, or anything you once took pleasure in.
Major Depressive Episode:
- Must have either depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure. - Symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment.
Depression creates a sensation of isolation as if you are lost in the wilderness with no direction. The final stage is acceptance, which means you have finally made peace with the reality of your mental illness.
I often remind my psychotherapy clients that there are three pillars or foundations of well-being: Sleep. Exercise. Diet. If you are neglecting one or more of these things, chances are you're not feeling very good about yourself.
The Three Cs of Disclosing Serious Mental Illness at Work: Control, Conditions, Costs. Marjorie L. Baldwin, Ph. D.
In addition to information and tools, this web-based resource presents an easy-to-follow employer framework for fostering a mental health-friendly workplace, centered around four pillars referred to as the “4 A's” – awareness, accommodations, assistance, and access.
Your physical health, mental wellbeing, and financial health fall into this category. Other important areas that land here are your personal relationships and career or professional development.