By Leigh Demetrius

Depression or major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States of America that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. According to the National Institutes of Health, every year more than 16 million adult Americans experience at least one episode of major depression. Evidence indicates it results from a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Major life changes, trauma, and stress can also trigger depression. Diagnosing depression requires a complex process involving a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. To be diagnosed with depression, symptoms need to be present for at least two weeks. Some of the depression’s most common symptoms are:

•       Anger and irritability

•       Prolonged sadness or feeling of emptiness

•       Withdrawal from friends and family

•       Thoughts of death or suicide

•       Loss of interest in activities

•       Fatigue

•       Changes in sleeping patterns

•      Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

•     Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness

•     Restlessness

•     Difficulty concentrating

•       Appetite changes

•       Chronic pain, headaches or stomachaches

Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others experience many.

Persons suffering from depression require professional treatment because it is not something that will go away on its own. The good news is that 80-90 percent of people respond well to treatment. The quicker treatment begins, the more effective it is, and the possibility of a recurrence can be prevented. Anti-depressants or psychotherapy are two known treatments for depression. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends them as first-line treatments for mild to moderate depression. For individuals with more severe depression, they recommend a combination of both. Anti-depressants can be helpful for reducing the symptoms for some persons and psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) addresses the negative thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that give rise to distress and that need to be managed in more productive ways. Psychotherapy can be done by licensed Psychologists who are highly trained in helping persons recover from depression. It involves the use of several different approaches that have been shown to help persons recover especially for those who suffer from mild to moderate depression. It can help people with depression:

•     Highlight life events that contribute to their depression and help them find ways to accept, change, and adapt to those situations.

• Set realistic future goals.

• Identify the unhelpful behaviors that contribute to their hopelessness and helplessness.

• Develop coping skills to deal with the symptoms and problems and identify or prevent future episodes of depression.

For psychotherapy to work, the patient needs to be actively involved in every session.

The two most common evidence-based therapies for depression are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).

1.      CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. It helps patients to identify negative thinking, change behaviors that might make depression worse, and interact with others in more positive ways. CBT is one of the most effective treatments for depression and has been found to be useful for all ages: children, adolescents, adults, and older people. The benefits of CBT continue long after treatment has ended.

2.      IPT focuses on you and your relationships with other people. It is based on the idea that personal relationships are at the center of psychological problems. IPT helps patients resolve or adapt to troubling life events, build social skills, and organize their relationships to strengthen the support for coping with depressive symptoms and life stressors.

Living with depression can be overwhelming at times which is why persons seek help from mental health experts. Working with a mental health expert in a therapeutic relationship Counselling provides you with a safe environment to identify the thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behavior that are contributing to your symptoms. The question is, how do you find the right mental health expert for you? Finding the right counselor, psychologist or mental health expert to work with may take some time. The relationship between patient and expert is key to the success of the therapy. You may find that you need to see a few people before finding someone you trust. If you are unsure of where to look, a good place to start is with your doctor or you can also contact any mental health facility in your area. They will most likely know of experts close to you that provide therapy for depression. For example, if you are from the Baltimore area, the Lartey Wellness Group would be recommended. They are known for always going above and beyond to ensure that their patients are offered treatment plans and therapy sessions that are tailored to address their unique needs and concerns. Their main goal is to help patients manage their depression so that they can regain control of their life.