Although it affects a large percentage of the population, depression is still widely misunderstood. Depression is a real mental health issue that can have far-reaching consequences for the individual affected as well as their loved ones, contrary to popular belief.
There is a wide range of symptoms associated with depression, from persistent sadness or distress to self-blame and intolerance to problems with sleep, social interaction, and libido. Having feelings of grief and sorrow after a loss is a normal and healthy response to a traumatic event; depression is not the same thing. As time passes, we become accustomed to our new normal and begin to feel better. Yet, when you’re depressed, it’s easy to lose hope that things will ever improve, rehab cape town.
Different Types of Depression
Serious Depressive Disorder (Clinical Depression)
All of the DSM-5 criteria for depression are present in this condition, which is also known as unipolar depression. Since major depression encompasses the majority of depressives’ experiences, it will be present in all other forms of depression as well.
SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder
People in the northern hemisphere, where winters are shorter and daylight is scarcer, are more likely to suffer from seasonal affective disorder. A seasonal pattern emerges in which your symptoms worsen and then improve around the same time each year. Symptoms include a lack of motivation to do anything, excessive sleep, an insatiable appetite, and difficulties maintaining interpersonal relationships.
Dysthymic Disorder
Depression in the context of bipolar disorder shares many of the same symptoms as unipolar depression. Episodes of manic highs (euphoria) and depressive lows (loneliness) that last for an extended period are diagnostic of bipolar disorder. Bipolar depression is unique in that standard antidepressant, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can cause a manic episode if taken at the wrong time.
Prompts for Feeling Down
This is the most common type of disorder, and it has to do with changes and emotional challenges that have upset a person’s sense of equilibrium. Loss of a loved one, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, or financial difficulties are just some examples of the kinds of events that can serve as a catalyst.
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Women frequently experience postpartum depression, or the “baby blues,” in the weeks following childbirth. When the body’s hormones finally start to stabilize, this phase typically lasts for about two weeks. Distancing yourself from your child, experiencing anger, anxiety, and a lack of sex interest are just some of the symptoms that can persist for much longer in extreme cases.
Suffering from Psychotic Depression
About 20% of people who experience a major depressive episode in their lives will also develop psychotic symptoms (the loss of contact with reality). Mental disarray, hallucinations, and irrational convictions are some of the symptoms.
Mood Swings Before Menstruation (PMDD)
About 5 percent of women suffer from premenstrual dysphoric syndrome (PMDD), a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome caused by hormone imbalance. During the seven to ten days preceding a woman’s menstrual period, she may experience symptoms such as anxiety and alterations in her behavior.
Distinctive Depression
As atypical depression often disappears when things start looking up, it can be challenging to spot and treat. Eating disorders, low self-esteem, difficulty sleeping, feelings of rejection, and extreme fatigue are all symptoms.
Common Methods of Treating Depression
If you think you could benefit from therapy for depression, look for a therapist who is either a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a cognitive behavioral therapist who has received accreditation from the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy (BACP), or the HCPC (RcPsych). You can expect the highest quality assistance from a specialist of this kind of rehab cape town.
Therapy based on the principles of cognitive behaviorism
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy, is to help patients improve their mental health by recognizing the interconnectedness of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Historically, it has been used with great success to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Treatment in a group setting
Sharing your problems with people you don’t know may seem scary, but that’s exactly where the power of group CBT lies. The ability to empathize with the difficulties of others is a key to overcoming your own. It’s reassuring because you can see yourself reflected in the experiences of those you’re listening to.
Interpersonal Counseling
To put it simply, interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a subset of psychotherapy that aims to improve communication and understanding between patients and their closest personal relationships. Many of our psychological issues, according to this approach, have their origins in our relationships with other people. Researchers have found that it’s just as effective as medication for treating depression.
Clinical Procedures in Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy, in contrast to CBT and IPT, is predicated on Freudian psychoanalysis to effect change in the client. Due to its less rigid structure, treatment for severe cases of depression can last anywhere from one year to several.
Medication
It is possible to treat depression without resorting to medication in many instances. Antidepressants aren’t the answer for everyone, but they can help when the patient’s quality of life is being negatively impacted to the point where they can’t work or take care of their responsibilities and no other options exist.
Various Medications Used To Treat Depression
Curative Practices Within the Arts
Complementary therapies include creative-based and other arts-based approaches. Whether it’s music, painting, or writing, engaging in an activity that you enjoy can have a profound effect on your health and happiness. Gaining that sense of accomplishment after finishing a project can have a significant impact on how quickly you get better.
Mindfulness
Buddhism is the origin of the practice of mindfulness. It’s often misunderstood as a mere meditation technique when, in fact, it’s more of a way of life. Mindfulness is a practice that can be applied to anything. Particularly helpful for depression, however, is keeping track of how you feel as a result of normal activities.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy’s ability to influence the unconscious has made it increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike other treatments like IPT and CBT, hypnotherapy often only requires one session to achieve the same results. One group received only cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), while the other received CBT plus hypnosis in a 1995 study’s control group. The study concluded that patients who underwent both hypnosis and CBT fared better than those who only underwent CBT. Faster and more complete recovery from self-limiting beliefs and traumatic experiences is facilitated by getting to the bottom of what’s triggering negative emotions.
Help from Peers
While not technically a treatment method, having a strong peer support system is essential to a full and speedy recovery. Thanks to the internet and social media, it’s easier than ever to meet people who share your interests, no matter where they may be located. Join Facebook groups and other online forums, but don’t forget about the resources right in your backyard and the people you already know who are willing to lend a hand.
Techniques of Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a holistic approach that targets the subtle energy fields of the body. It involves both energy and physical labor. Emotional blockages within the body can be released as the practitioner applies a very light touch. Even though it isn’t yet widely accepted as a treatment for depression, it’s getting a lot of buzz for its potential benefits.
