Depression is a mental health condition which goes beyond the normal feelings of sadness we all occasionally experience in our lives. Persistent feelings of extreme sorrow or helplessness that last for many days, weeks or even months are signs that a person may be suffering with clinical depression.
Symptoms of depression are not just limited to sorrowful thoughts and continued sadness. There are physical symptoms which can also affect the lives of people living with depression. They may have no interest in food, feel constantly exhausted or lose their sex drive. Severe clinical depression can even induce thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Depression is not an easy subject to talk about for most people, there has been a stigma attached to having feelings of hopelessness, and sufferers are often concerned that their illness will elicit responses such as ‘pull yourself together’ or that their very real feelings of despondency will be trivialised.
According to resent data from the World Health Organisation, depression is a common mental health disorder. Across the world there are over 264 million people of all ages who are suffering with depression.*
But there is no need to try to cope with depression alone or feel that help isn’t available. With the correct support and therapy most people with depression can make significant steps towards recovery and live a more fulfilling and happier life.
Using CBT to tackle depression
A qualified cognitive behavioural therapist should begin by talking to their clients about their depression diagnosis and help them to understand that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of evidence-based talking therapy that can benefit people with clinical depression.
The first steps to tackling depression are learning how to identify the ongoing and irrational negative thoughts of sadness and self-worth that a person has. Treatment will involve helping a person to evaluate their negative beliefs about themselves, the world, and the future that lead to a period of depression.
By recognising these thoughts and challenging them, a therapist will gradually guide their client towards substituting distressing and unhelpful thoughts with a healthier and more rational way approach to their thinking patterns.
CBT also teaches a person to adapt their attitude towards themselves and understand how their thoughts have negatively impacted their lives. Gradually, with continued support and guidance, depression sufferers can act on unwelcome thoughts before they become an issue and develop a more balanced and realistic thought pattern.
CBT intervention techniques can differ depending on a person’s age or personality—but the methods all have a focus on helping clients to feel more engaged in activities that they used to enjoy, but no longer take part in.
Young people and children with depression may benefit from parents or caregivers involvement, in some cases giving them the tools and parenting skills to understand their child’s condition can greatly improve the recovery time and make a relapse less likely.
CBT can help older clients with depression to focus on maintaining a fulfilling life and participating in meaningful activities. CBT therapists can also help older people to revaluate their negative beliefs about aging or ill health.
Many people who suffer from poor health will experience depression, and a CBT counsellor can help those facing challenging health problems to cope with their diagnosis and explore their thought process with the aim of taking back control of their lives removing the anxiety and depression associated with their condition.
CBT teaches a person to adapt their attitude towards themselves and understand how their thoughts have negatively impacted their lives. Gradually, with continued support and guidance, depression sufferers can act on unwelcome thoughts before they become an issue and develop a more balanced and realistic thought pattern.
How we can help
At Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Interventions we have proven experience in analysing and evaluating our clients individual needs through our verbal counselling sessions. We can then define the level of treatment that will help clients to achieve a happier outlook on life with empowerment, self-growth and positive change.
Our accredited counsellors have successfully helped hundreds of clients understand the emotional complexities of all levels of depression. If you are seeking help for depression, contact me and begin your journey to recovery.
If you would like to listen to a podcast from the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapist (BABCP) providing more information on CBT for Depression, please click Podcast
*Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
