The Role of Therapy in Treating Depression

Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, is a cornerstone in the treatment of depression. Various therapeutic methods can help individuals understand the underlying causes of their depression, identify triggers, and develop effective coping strategies. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are among the most commonly used approaches for treating depression.

During depression therapy sessions at Lifepaths Counseling, individuals work with a highly experienced depression therapist to explore their emotional patterns, challenge negative thought cycles, and build healthier behavioral habits. Dr. Perez is a Neuropsychologist and has over a decade of experience in helping people with depression. Therapy can be a space for introspection, skill-building, and emotional support, often making it easier to cope with life’s challenges and improving overall quality of life.

Personalized Treatment Plans for People With Depression

Each individual’s experience with depression is unique, and so treatment plans are typically customized to meet specific needs. After an initial assessment, Dr. Perez will suggest a course of action that may include regular therapy sessions, medication, or a combination of both. Lifestyle adjustments, such as increased physical activity or dietary changes, may also be recommended.

The primary goals of a treatment plan are usually symptom reduction and the improvement of daily functioning. Ongoing assessment and therapy adjustments ensure that you are on the most effective path toward recovery. Remember, progress may be gradual, but every step counts toward your mental and emotional well-being.

Reach Out for Help Today

You don’t have to navigate the challenges of depression alone.Taking the first step to seek help might feel daunting, but it is a crucial action toward recovery. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression, please contact us today. We can help with both in-person and remote counseling sessions as well.

What is Depression?

Everyone feels down now and then, especially when life feels overwhelming and problems seems to outweigh your resources to meet the challenges you are facing. Depression is more than just sadness in response to setbacks and hard times, though. Depression is a common but serious mood disorder and should not be left untreated. When severe, as in major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it can affect the way you think, feel, and cope with everyday activities. Depression can disrupt your sleep, affect your appetite, and impact your ability to work and function properly.

Some important statistics about depression:

  • The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3
  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7%of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year
  • While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5 years old
  • Depression is more prevalent in women than in men, though both are affected
  • Persistent depressive disorder, or PDD (formerly called dysthymia), is a form of depression that usually continues for at least two years
  • PDD affects approximately 1.5 percent of the U.S. population (about 3.3 million American adults) age 18 and older in a given year
  • Only 61.7% of adults with MDD are receiving treatment
  • The average age of onset is 31 years old

Symptoms

While symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, there are some common signs to look for. Someone experiencing depression might experience some of the symptoms below and not others. Symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling hopeless or helpless
  • Changes in eating habits (eating too much or too little)
  • Reckless behavior (intentionally dangerous drug use, driving too fast, etc.)
  • Self-loathing
  • Irritability or feeling easily agitated
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Changes in sleeping habits
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Restlessness
  • Anger, outbursts of rage
  • Thoughts about death and/or suicide

When symptoms like these last least two weeks or more and affect a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities, have fulfilling personal relationships, and negatively impact their ability to work, they will be diagnosed with major depressive disorder (“clinical” depression).

While not all who suffer from depression are clinically depressed, depression can still impact a person’s life in a major and sometimes serious way. The emotional aspect of depression include sadness, fear, shame, anxiety, guilt, and anger. Depression causes us to feel numb, helpless, and hopeless. The emotions that are brought on by depression can be extremely overwhelming, to say the least.

Other, seemingly unrelated impacts of long-term depression can be somatic (body) symptoms. These are physical symptoms that seem to have no medically identifiable cause, such as unexplained pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, or chronic headaches.

Depression and Suicide Risk

Since over 2/3 of people who commit suicide are depressed at the time of their suicide, it is important to know the statistics surrounding this mental illness.

  • Suicide attempts are often a serious sign that the person is depressed and/or is needing help.
  • Every year, nearly 43,000 Americans commit suicide, with 1 in 25 suicide attempts resulting in a completed suicide.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children and teens aged 10-18, and adults aged 19-34.
  • Although women are more prone to having suicidal thoughts, men make up 79% of those who commit suicide.

Those with major depression are a serious risk factor for suicide. Someone struggling with deep despair and hopelessness feel like suicide is the only way to escape their pain. Always take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously and watch for any of the warning signs below:

  • Strong feelings of hopelessness or being trapped
  • A preoccupation with death or dying
  • Reckless behavior – as if the person has a death wish (excessive drug use, speeding in traffic)
  • Calling or visiting people to say goodbye
  • Getting affairs in order (giving away prized possessions, tying up loose ends)
  • Saying things like “Everyone would be better off without me,” or “I want out”
  • A sudden switch from being extremely down to acting calm and happy
  • Talk or obsession with death or suicide

If you or a friend or family member is considering suicide, seek help immediately. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts can help. Contrary to what some people believe, talking about it does not increase the risk, it can actually save someone’s life.

One quick resource is Suicide Help at (800) 273-8255

Depression in Teens

The teen years can be brutal. Both adolescent boys and girls (but especially girls) struggle with self-esteem, and the lack of confidence in how they look, feel, or are fitting in with others can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, many parents believe that the moodiness related to adolescence is “normal” and will pass on its own and fail to intervene and help their teen.

While mood changes are normal to an extent during the teen years, prolonged signs of depression are indicators that your child needs your help.

Below are some depression statistics that you should be aware of:

  • In the U.S., 12.5% of teens aged 12-17 experience symptoms of depression
  • About 5% of 12 year olds report experiencing a major depressive episode, while 15-16% of 15-17 year olds experience depression
  • Nearly 20% of depressed teens are girls, and 6% are boys
  • Every year, nearly 5,000 teens commit suicide
  • 24% of teens consume alcohol every month. It is not clear if this is due to feeling depressed, or if consuming alcohol raises the chances the teen will experience depression

Types of Depression

There are actually several forms of depression – some more serious than others – but all can leave you feeling lethargic, miserable, and can downright sap the joy out of your life. Knowing which form you or your loved one is struggling with can help.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is a chronic, low-grade type of depression that is long lasting and seemingly refuses to go away. Someone diagnosed with this type of depression may have less severe symptoms than someone with major depressive disorder, but when the symptoms last for two years or more they will be diagnosed with this type.

Depression During Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression

Postpartum (or perinatal) depression is often used interchangeably with the familiar “baby blues” term, but this form of depression can actually become quite serious for a new mom. Symptoms usually begin within two weeks after giving birth, though depression can certainly begin before baby comes. She may experience extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion, making daily care for herself and for the new baby extremely difficult. Feelings can range from mild to very severe, and if left untreated, can put both mother and infant at risk.

Psychotic Depression

This type of depression occurs when a person’s depression is severe enough to cause psychosis. Psychosis results when someone is having delusions (disturbing false fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others cannot). Symptoms will typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

SAD occurs during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. This form of depression typically lifts during spring and summer. SAD, or winter depression, predictably returns every year in a season fashion and is accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain.

Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is a unique form of depression that always requires pharmacological intervention. Bipolar disorder causes the person with this condition to experience extreme highs (called mania) and lows in their moods. This condition is not curable, but it is treatable.

Those with this condition experience very intense emotions and often uncharacteristic behaviors. Unfortunately, the person suffering with the condition may not recognize it at the time, nor do they see the harmful and undesirable effects their behaviors are having on those around them. Such behaviors can last for days or weeks.

There are three subtypes of bipolar disorder; all of these will cause changes in mood, energy, and a person’s thought patterns. Moods will range on a continuum, depending upon the type of disorder a person has (Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, Cyclothymia).

Bipolar I Disorder is diagnosed when someone has a manic episode that last at least 7 days. Mania is very typically followed by depression that lasts at least 2 weeks. Mixed episodes (mania and depression together) are also possible. A person experiencing a manic episode:

  • May feel extremely agitated, high, elated, irritable, or edgy.
  • They may have a decreased need for sleep
  • May stop eating and experience weight loss
  • May talk very fast, rapidly changing topics as a result of their racing thoughts
  • Believe they can do multiple things all at once
  • Display poor judgment and reckless behavior
  • Feel over important, powerful, or gifted and talented

Once the manic mood has passed, they will display the very opposite of these things.

  • Extreme sadness and hopelessness
  • Oversleeping, unable to get out of bed
  • Increased appetite and weight gain
  • Difficulty concentrating, long silences, forgetfulness
  • Extreme lethargy, difficulty in decision making
  • Little interest in most activities

While someone with Bipolar II Disorder will not experience these symptoms to the same degree or extreme, they will experience hypomania (a less severe form of mania) and depression. If this condition is not treated, it can develop into the more severe form above (Bipolar I).

Cyclothymia is define as period of hypomanic symptoms as well as depressive symptoms lasting 2 years or more (or 1 year in adolescents and children).

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a depression that plagues some people during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. Winter depression like this typically lifts during spring and summer. SAD is usually accompanied by social isolation and withdrawal, increased need for sleep, and low, depressed mood.

Very severe depression can cause psychosis – lead to a person have delusions (false, unfounded beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others cannot). It is important to not allow depression to get out of control. Early, effective treatment is always the wisest choice.

Cause of Depression

Depression can result from any number of factors – or a combination of many. From my perspective as a neuropsychologist, there is certainly a biological component to depression, but psychological and psychosocial factors also come into play. The brain is so complex, and all these things should be taken into consideration.

For example, what roles do inflammation, hormonal changes, cellular changes in the brain play in depression? How about nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle choices, stress, or age and stage in a person’s life? What about substance use and/or abuse, past and present trauma, and environmental factors? All of these will impact mood.

Below are some of the common risk factors in depression:

Stress. Major life changes, including changes in health, job or relationship status, financial stress or hardship, bereavement, college, and certainly any kind of relational stress can lead to depression.

Loneliness and isolation. There is very definitely a strong relationship between loneliness and depression. Strong positive social interaction is one of the best ways of protecting our bodies and brains from ill health. Having friends or family around us helps us maintain perspective, improves cardiovascular health, and staves off depression.

Marital or relationship problems. Relational stress is one of the greatest sources of depression. A network of strong, supportive relationships is crucial to marital health. It keeps us accountable as couples. When marriages are troubled, unhappy, or abusive, couples tend to isolate from others, for obvious reasons. Depression in such relationships is common.

Chronic illness or pain. Depression is a common side effect of chronic illness and unremitting pain. Chronic pain that is unmanaged, serious illness, heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic medical condition can trigger feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Family history of depression. While there may be a genetic component to depression (as many report that it, like anxiety, runs in their family), lifestyle choices, relationship, and coping skills matter just as much as genetics.

Personality. Several factors can impact how we view and manage life. Sometimes personality traits are inherited from our parents or they may be the result of our life experiences. Either way, they can contribute to how vulnerable we are to become depressed. For example, you may tend to worry excessively, have a negative (“glass half full”) outlook on life, or be a highly self-critical person.

Early childhood trauma or abuse. Early life experiences such as childhood trauma, abuse, or bullying can certainly make you more susceptible to depression as well as a number of other conditions.

Alcohol or drug abuse. Substance abuse often co-occurs with depression. While people tend to use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate and numb their feeling and cope with stress or difficult emotions, substances can have the opposite effect in the long run.

Depression Treatment

Lifestyle changes, talk therapy, antidepressants are all effective ways of treating depression.

Lifestyle Changes

Don’t isolate. 

First and foremost, don’t isolate. Find safe, supportive people and surround yourself with them. Remember that isolation fuels depression, so even if you feel like being alone or don’t want to be a burden to others, be with people anyhow. Simply talking to someone else can a huge help.

A word on safe people: Not everyone is equipped to help you with your issue; that doesn’t mean he/she doesn’t care. In times like this you might just need someone to be a good listener and not judge or try to fix you.

Get moving.

When you’re depressed, just getting out of bed can seem overwhelming, but getting up and moving is important. Start with a hot shower and a healthy breakfast. Take a short walk or put some upbeat music on. Move around. Start small and build up from there.

Eat a mood boosting diet. 

Reduce your intake of junk food and empty calories. Caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, sugar, and refined carbs will lower your mood and sap your energy.

Shift your gaze.

Look around you and see what you want to change. Get outside in nature, care for a pet, volunteer, take up a hobby. You won’t feel like it at first, but it is vital you participate in life again, you will start to feel better.

When to seek professional help

If support from family and friends and positive lifestyle changes aren’t enough, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional. There are many effective treatments for depression, including:

Talk therapy. Meeting with a therapist can provide you the help you need. Counseling is an effective treatment for depression and a great way to get the tools you need to overcome depression and live the life you want. Therapy can also offer you the skills and insight to prevent the problem from recurring in the future.

Therapists use a variety of methods to help treat depression symptoms, including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, light therapy, and others.

Medication can also be a great help. I see this as a “leg up” or short term boost until you are feeling yourself again. I can definitely help you explore your options in this area. But while meds can help relieve symptoms of depression in some people, they aren’t a cure or meant to be a long-term solution for most people. While some medications can come with side effects, not using them when needed can be much worse. I am happy to help you explore your options here.