Depression Takes the Fun Out of Life. How Depression Therapy Can Bring It Back
/“When I’m depressed, I can’t seem to muster a simple smile.”
“It appears as if everyone is enjoying life, except me. That feels pretty lonely.”
“Depression cheats you out of the best part of life. All I can feel is anger and frustration.”
Sadness, anger, frustration, and loneliness. Those are some of the feelings associated with depression. No wonder it takes the fun out of life!
Can depression therapy really make a difference?
How Depression Therapy Can Bring the Fun Back Into Your Life
When depression therapy is tailored to you individually, it can empower you to manage and reduce symptoms. Psychotherapy – such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – can teach you skills to combat depression and lead a much happier life.
The Various Ways Psychotherapy Helps You Become Happier
It fosters understanding of your illness – helps you makes sense of past traumatic experiences and why you feel a certain way; assists in separating your true self from your mood swings
It helps you find solutions – guides you to work through the roots of your depression; assists you in identifying triggers that make your symptoms worse; encourages you to do things to stay healthy
It leads to improved relationships – aids your understanding of patterns, reduces isolation, establishes routines, builds supportive social connections; strengthens existing or develops new relationships
It encourages healthy boundaries – teaches you how to set and validate boundaries in relationships at home or work, which empowers you to say “no” and helps relieve stress
It equips you to handle life’s problems – gives you skills to handle challenges in positive ways, overcome fears and insecurities, cope with stress, and end destructive behaviors like alcohol and drug abuse
Depression Therapy Types – CBT and IPT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of depression therapy that helps you see how your thoughts and behaviors play a role in your condition. This treatment employs the power of realistic thinking which can help you change unhealthy patterns.
A therapist can help you explore your thoughts and beliefs and help you see how some of them are false. You will learn how to disassemble our negative and unhealthy thoughts and replace them with much more realistic ones.
After you’ve reached a calmer state of mind, you can begin working on your pattern of behavior. The therapist will teach you how to take more appropriate actions that lead to a better and happier outcome when faced with challenges.
CBT requires you to face your fears and to take on an active role in your treatment. Most likely, the therapist will assign you homework, such as practicing your skills or journaling about your thoughts and feelings.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT focuses mainly on your relationships with other people and how your social interactions have a bearing on your depression.
This can include such things as conflicts with others, role transitions, or grief over personal loss.
IPT directs attention to the present – your outward actions – instead of your subconscious motivations, wishes, or thoughts.
Focusing on the past can help explain your personality issues, but focusing on the present allows you to cope with current situations and prepare for future problems. They may also encourage you to engage in various types of social activities to practice your newly learned skills.
IPT promotes rapid reduction of depression symptoms and improved social adjustment. It helps you to have happier and more enjoyable relationships.
As with any depression therapy, improvement will certainly not happen overnight. But with the help of a skilled therapist, you should soon see happiness and fun come back into your life.
