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depression counselling can feel like an impossible burden to bear, but it is treatable. Lifestyle changes, social support and psychological therapy can all help. Medication may be an option as well.
A therapist can teach you new coping skills to reduce your symptoms and improve your life. You can find a qualified therapist by asking your family and friends, or looking through a local directory.
Symptoms
Depression is a complex illness, but it is treatable. The sooner you seek help, the more likely you are to recover. Medications and psychological treatments (known as talking therapies) have good track records for helping people with depression.
Depression symptoms can include a loss of interest or pleasure in activities you normally enjoy, low energy and/or difficulty sleeping. People who have severe depression may also have thoughts of suicide or self-harm. If you are having these thoughts, please seek immediate emergency help by calling 000 or going to your nearest hospital emergency department.
Often, a combination of medication and therapy is needed. In addition, lifestyle changes like getting more sleep, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking can improve mood. Other therapies include family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and problem-solving therapy. You can also get support from whanau and friends or join a depression support group. Journaling and reading reputable self-help books can also be helpful.
Diagnosis
Depression is a real illness that affects the way you think, feel and behave. There are many different ways that it can be diagnosed. A mental health professional may use tests or questionnaires to find out how you are feeling. They will ask about your symptoms, what you have been doing and whether you have tried anything to help them. They will also ask about your family history and any other mental health problems that you have had.
They will need to know about any medications you are taking, including any over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. They will also need to know about any alcohol or recreational drugs that you use.
They will need to know if you have ever had any thoughts of suicide, or if anyone close to you has. This is very important as suicide can be a serious risk with depression. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment early can help you get better.
Treatment options
Depending on the individual, depression counseling may include psychotherapy (talk therapy) or prescription medication. Medication can help change the way chemicals in your brain work to reduce depression symptoms. Sometimes, it takes a while to find the right medication and dose for you.
A therapist can also teach you coping skills and help you make changes to improve your quality of life, such as getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet. They can also help you cultivate social support and develop healthy relationships.
Interpersonal therapy, which can be either short-term or long-term, helps you understand underlying personal issues that might be contributing to your depression. This can include unresolved grief, unexpected changes in your relationships and conflicts with others.
Finding a therapist
The most important thing when finding a therapist for depression is to find someone you connect with. This may take a few people before you find the right match. Some tips on how to find the right therapist for depression include checking their credentials and licenses, ensuring that they accept your insurance and using online resources like Psychology Today to search by location and specialties. Also, be sure to check with your local public or community mental health clinics to see if they have any lower-cost options or offer a sliding fee for those without insurance.
Once you have a short list, schedule a time to meet with them and talk about your needs and preferences. Some therapists will let you do this over the phone or online, but nothing beats meeting in person and feeling a connection. Finally, be sure to discuss how long you expect therapy to last with your therapist. While they can make suggestions, the decision about how long to continue therapy is up to you.