Achieving Happiness With Therapy-Focused Treatment for Your Depression

Depression affects millions of individuals every day in every city and every country. Finding effective treatment can be overwhelming. With the many options available, it can be hard to know the right choice for you and your specific needs. In the pursuit of treatment, starting with a trusted and quality healthcare facility is key. 

Alter Behavioral Health is a world-class mental health treatment center in California, offering only the best evidence-based treatments available. Depression diagnoses, as well as many others, are determined using top-notch and current methods found in mental health science. In the treatment of depression, the questions and confusion of the options are made easy with Alter.

Understanding the Treatment Modalities for Depression

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mood disorder. It is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as “a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.” Because of the ties that depression has with your mood, the most effective method of treatment is found within psychotherapy. 

Psychotherapy, often referred to as talk therapy, encompasses an assortment of treatments that all focus on one main goal: to help the participant recognize and reverse problematic feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Therapy helps with your thought processes and emotions and boosts confidence and decision-making skills by targeting how you think, feel, and act in daily life. 

The Therapies Utilized for Depression

Now that you have a good understanding of psychotherapy and how it deals directly with a person’s mind, let’s take a closer look. Many forms of therapy practices treat a variety of mental health disorders. However, a few options are geared specifically toward mood disorders such as depression. 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an evidence-based psychotherapy that acts as a problem-solving learning tool. Participants will work one-on-one with a therapist. Sessions take place in a safe and welcoming space and help members learn the necessary skills to deal with problems as they arise. The theory behind this is that how a person interprets their environment significantly affects their emotions and overall mindset. 

By targeting these negative interpretations on the go, participants will gradually learn how to shift their perspectives into far more positive and productive views. This results in a brighter outlook and a better mood all around. Participants will be able to take the reins of and manage their own happiness. In addition to depression, CBT is a highly effective form of therapy for anxiety disorders, substance abuse, as well as many other mental health issues. 

Interpersonal Therapy

A different form of psychotherapy known as interpersonal therapy is a great additive to the treatment of depression as well as many other mental health concerns. While CBT deals with a person’s mindset and emotions, interpersonal therapy focuses on the personal relationships in a person’s life. This form of therapy is not a standalone long-term solution. However, it helps to promote a healthier home life and pairs well with CBT.

There are generally three phases to interpersonal therapy programs. These are the beginning (one to three sessions), the middle, and the end (three sessions):

• The beginning phase is used to establish or confirm diagnoses. 
• Next is the middle phase, which is the main portion where the therapist works with the participant and their personal relationships to target and resolve issues. 
• Finally, the ending phase is used as a transition period to help the participant adjust to the end of the program by promoting independence and boosting confidence.

Combining interpersonal therapy with CBT is a highly effective treatment plan for depression and can be of significant benefit to you and your recovery process. Additionally, medication may also be needed. 

Medication

Antidepressants, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are very common additions to treatment. While there are many forms of medications to treat depression, SSRIs are an attractive first choice due to having the least amount of side effects. They help relieve the symptoms of depression by increasing serotonin levels. This helps to regulate mood as well as appetite. Sometimes, SSRIs even help improve sleep quality.

A Happy Outcome

Here’s the ugly truth: depression isn’t easy. In many cases, it covers your world in a thick blanket of sadness that seems impossible to get out of. Like a seasoned liar, it can have you believe that healing isn’t an option. However, that isn’t reality, and it’s certainly not the truth. There is healing ahead of you, and there are options available to you. 

You have a wonderful road ahead of you, full of happiness and sunshine. Don’t let your depression fool you. You can conquer this and reclaim the life that is rightfully yours to enjoy. This journey begins with treatment and ends with joy. 

When depression rears its head, the world seems to stop spinning, and the sun ceases to shine. You become encased in the sadness, and trying to get out can seem impossible. However, depression is treatable, and through therapy-focused treatment, you won’t just claw your way out; you will demolish every last tie that your depression has with you. There is an insurmountable amount of joy to be had in this world. You deserve each and every one of your days to be even better and brighter than the day before. At Alter Behavioral Health, those bright days are what we stand for. We aim to bring you the happiness you deserve. Call us today at (866) 691-4386.