Depressed individuals can seem sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, powerless, useless, guilty, irritated, ashamed or restless. Depression influences the way someone behaves, feels, and thinks. But despite its many symptoms, most people today don’t realise they’re depressed until they’ve lived with the symptoms for quite a while—sometimes years. And because of depression’s public stigma, it’s not unusual for someone dealing with it to avoid approaching family, friends, or other loved ones for help. Left alone, the feelings of helplessness and emptiness can get worse, but depression therapy can help relieve these pressures.
Though seeking treatment for depression can feel overwhelming in spite of the benefits, there are varied ways to deal with it. Psychotherapy has been found to be effective in treating depression. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), in particular, can help people re-examine negative thoughts, thoroughly address habitual problems, and change behaviours that contribute to depression. In some cases, a combination of medication and psychotherapy may be the best option.
With correct depression therapy, individuals can live a more fulfilled, more capable, and more hopeful life. Depression therapy can increase understanding and awareness of the condition, as well as teach ways to help cope with the symptoms that can so often overwhelm the brain and body. As a result, friends, family, and others can encourage the individual to use the learned coping techniques and promote the individual’s well-being and therapy continuation.
The good news is that major depressive disorders are highly treatable but only when a person receives good, long term help. Today we know much more about depression through brain research and how our thoughts, behaviours, and emotions are connected through intricate neural networks. Fortunately, through depression therapy, professionals can help individuals change their thinking patterns and perceptions which, consequently, reduces depression symptoms.
Though we may not see depression like other, physical illnesses, the toll it can take on a life is, nonetheless, just as real and just as important. Depression is the silent illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Life is hard and, in the modern world, can quickly overwhelm someone not prepared to deal with life’s hurried pace. But there is hope. And the time to get help is NOW.
If you or someone close to you is suffering from depression, call Brian Burgess on 020 3096 6277 now. Your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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