Overcoming Depression Through Counseling

 Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Depression is so much more than merely feeling down; it is a real psychological condition that affects millions of people across the globe. A person with depressive tendencies will feel deep discontent, grief, lethargy—and in most cases—suicidal thoughts. Other symptoms of depression also include being emotionally overwhelmed and feelings of despair so deep, it interrupts everyday life.

Causes of Depression

Causes of depression will depend on many things. It could be a result of a stressful life punctuated by everyday stressors. The presence of other psychological problems could also lead to severe depression. Individuals who experienced severe trauma may also develop depression later in life. Women who recently gave birth may also experience post-partum depression. Post-partum depression could last for a few days to months after childbirth.

Certain types of people are naturally pre-disposed to depression. The abnormalities in their genetic makeup make them more vulnerable to this condition compared to other people. If you have a family history of depression, then it’s likely that you will inherit the disease.

Seeking Counseling for Depression

One of the most common treatments for depression is counseling. Counseling is more than just sitting with a shrink and articulating your feelings. It’s a treatment that will determine the root cause of your condition, find a solution, and seek the understanding you need to cope with the disease.

There are three types of counseling, psychodynamic counseling, person-centered counseling, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Types of Counseling to Address Depression

Psychodynamic Counseling

Your behavior now is directly linked to past hurts. Psychodynamic counseling is mainly focused on determining patterns in your relationship. This will inevitably lead to understanding how your past could affect your present and cause you to be depressive. Psychodynamic counseling is best for depressive patients who need to unload emotional baggage to move forward in the most constructive manner.

Person-Centered Counseling

Person-centered counseling is best for depressive patients who are seeking counseling to get non-judgmental support. Person-centered counseling offers a neutral platform where a patient can unload his depressive thoughts and find solutions to his condition.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps address unhelpful thinking habits of the depressive patient. Designed to treat anxiety and depression, cognitive-behavioral therapy will require long-term commitment and willingness to actively work on achieving goals.

The Importance of Counseling in Treating Depression

A counselor will help a depressive patient weed through the cause of his condition and give the patient a clearer overview of his problems. All these are meant to make a depressed individual move forward in the most constructive way possible.

Depressed people tend have fears of being judged. They feel that most people dismiss their condition as merely having the blues but there is so much more to depression than being constantly morose. Through counseling, patients are given an avenue to hash through their issues without fears of being judged or made fun at. Counseling also helps a patient find the support and understanding they need to cope with their condition.

Points to Consider During Counseling

If you choose to treat your depression through counseling, it’s important to be completely honest with your counselor. If the session was not helpful, let your counselor know. Counseling will not be effective if you are not willing to work with your counselor. This collaborative treatment requires efforts from both sides to determine the cause of the disease.