5 Types of Psychotherapy for Depression

Woman talking to a therapist

Depression is a mood disorder or psychological illness characterized by persistent sadness, negative thoughts, loss of interest, anger, and frustration. Depression, a major depressive disorder, affects your physical and mental health. It affects how you think, feel, and behave.

So, it leads to various physical and emotional issues, taking a massive toll on your day-to-day activities, disrupting your work-life balance, causing loneliness, and affecting relationships with others. Although you can take medications like SSRIs to deal with depression, these meds can cause severe side effects.

On the other hand, psychotherapy is a side-effect-free and effective treatment option for people with depression. Today’s article will discuss common symptoms of depression and highlight five types of psychotherapy that can help you overcome depressive symptoms. Read on!

Common Symptoms of Depression

Although depression symptoms vary from person to person because each individual has their own circumstances or external stimuli that affect their brain and cause depression. However, the most common symptoms are:

  • Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
  • Loss of interest in daily activities
  • Changes in weight and appetite
  • Sleep problems, including insomnia
  • Irritability, anger, and frustration
  • Loss of energy and fatigue
  • Self-loathing, reckless behavior, and unexplained aches/pains
  • Concentration issues with difficulty remembering things or making decisions

If you have these symptoms, the chances are that you suffer from depression, anxiety, mood disorder, or stress. You can consult a psychologist or psychiatrist to seek treatment for depression.

However, most psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and tranquilizers to help patients cope with depression. However, these medications lead to side effects, such as:

  • Anxiousness
  • Shakiness
  • Agitative feelings
  • Stomach aches
  • Indigestion
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Dizziness and drowsiness
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Insomnia episodes

What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is an alternative treatment option for mental health conditions, including depression. It involves communication between a therapist and patient to find relief for negative thoughts and emotional distress while reducing symptoms like fear, anxiousness, and frustration.

There are different types of psychotherapy for depression, and each one’s efficacy depends on the patient’s specific symptoms and circumstances. So, without further ado, let us discuss the five most effective psychotherapies for depression.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy, also known as cognitive behavior therapy, is a form of psychological remedy/treatment. A growing body of research evidence shows that cognitive therapy effectively treats depression and related disorders, such as anxiety, stress, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and marital issues.

A cognitive therapist will help you learn to recognize your distortions in thinking that cause problem. At the same time, the therapist will help you reevaluate your thoughts and develop realistic/effective methods to cope with negative feelings. In addition, you will better understand things that trigger motivation.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Although most people take antidepressants to bring positive changes in their behaviors, nothing is better than behavioral or talk therapy to reduce symptoms of depression.

The primary reason is that behavioral therapy allows you to express your feelings and emotions and release negative energy. We recommend looking for a highly trained, board-certified, and experienced behavioral therapist to make the most of the treatment.

During the therapy sessions, the therapist will help you become aware of your thoughts and teach you how to replace them with positive ones. Remember, changing your thoughts is directly proportional to altering your behavior and attitude, reducing the overall risk of chronic depression.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectal behavior therapy is famous for its efficiency and reliability in treating borderline personality disorder. However, several studies have found that this therapy is an excellent treatment option for people with depression. It can help you overcome emotional and behavioral challenges.

Although combining talk therapy with medication can improve depression symptoms for most people, dialectal therapy is a holistic approach that combines cognitive, behavioral, and acceptance-based methods/therapies, allowing patients to learn new coping skills and mitigate complications related to depression.

Overcoming depressive symptoms is daunting, challenging, and time-consuming, especially if you suffer from chronic depression. Dialectal behavior therapy enables you to accept yourself. It encourages you to avoid negative thoughts, become more productive, and find ways to overcome depression. Health professionals recommend this therapy for people with symptoms like:

  • Persistent sadness and frustration
  • Lack of interest in daily activities
  • Difficulty remembering, focusing, and concentrating
  • Body aches, pains, fatigue, or other physical manifestations of depression

Interpersonal Therapy

People have different causes of depression, such as a chemical imbalance in the brain or a stressful event like losing a loved one, undergoing a divorce, or losing a job; Depression can affect your relationships and cause severe problems with interpersonal connections.

The primary objective of interpersonal therapy is to improve your communication skills and rebuild connections/relationships with family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc.

Your therapist will conduct a thorough interview with you to learn about your problems, including challenges in your personal relationships. The therapist will evaluate your situation and develop a comprehensive plan to resolve critical issues.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Last but not least, psychodynamic therapy requires a health professional/therapist to examine your past, identify triggers that led to depression, and develop solutions to fix the underlying problem/situation. Psychodynamic therapy is a core component of Freudian psychoanalysis and an effective treatment option for depression.

During the therapy sessions, your therapist will help you become aware of your feelings and emotions and express them clearly without hassle. The purpose is to release negative energy and help you create a sense of awareness, calmness, relaxation, and wellbeing.

Final Words

Genetics, environmental, seasonal, and interpersonal situations not in your favor are the leading causes of depression. However, thyroid diseases, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, imbalanced diet, social media overload, and family tensions can also cause depression. While medications can improve your symptoms, undergoing psychotherapy is an excellent way to overcome depression without adverse effects. Until Next Time!

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