The fact that depression is so readily treated with prescribed medications has led many to the mistaken belief that it is a disease borne of a chemical imbalance. By extension, many consider that the way to happiness is through the medicine cabinet.
Of course, a chemical imbalance is a lot more reasonable than believing that depression is simply all in the head and can be willed away by those of strong enough character.
However, depression cannot always be explained away as a purely medical condition. It may also be influenced by social, biological, and psychological factors. These factors lead us to the more sensible idea that treating depression will require more than prescription pills or sheer force of will.
For adults struggling with depression, therapy can be a helpful conduit for healing. If we consider depression to be purely a medical condition that can be medicated away, we miss opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Adult depression has been known to respond well to psychotherapy, and the practice has not only proven effective, but it is also evidence-based. Let’s explore psychotherapy in a little more detail.
Psychotherapy Has Many Advantages
There will always be a place for medications in therapy, but it should never be the only option. How does psychotherapy provide additional benefits over medication?
Fewer Side Effects, More Benefits
Psychotherapy helps with adult depression without introducing any side effects. Just a couple of the commonly reported symptoms from depression pharmaceuticals include decreased libido and weight gain. Here are a few more ways therapy can help.
Aids in Brain Training
Therapy helps individuals improve their brain, a concept based on the idea that clients undergoing psychotherapy learn new skills, including conflict resolution and resilience. A trained therapist can help you gain more control over your thoughts. Brain training promotes natural healing in a way that is not available via an over-the-counter medication.
Learn More About Yourself
When you use psychotherapy sessions as part of your depression treatment, you are embarking on a voyage of self-discovery.
Of course, there are challenges to overcome in psychotherapy, but as you progress, more pieces of the puzzle fall into place, order comes out of the chaos, and you start to see the sense of it all. But, how can depression therapy take you on a voyage of discovery specifically?
Many people deal with emotions by bottling them up, pushing them down, or ignoring them altogether. A lot of people consider their feelings to be not much more than an inconvenient annoyance.
However, we can think of our feelings as messengers of sorts and be willing to listen to what they are trying to tell us. Instead of shoving your emotions to the side, your therapist can help you unlock their hidden meanings.
Not only can a therapist help you decipher the message behind your emotions, but they can also help you explore your values. Careers, relationships, and other life situations are essential foundations for your emotional well-being. During therapy, you learn to examine these core aspects of your life and determine how they align with your emotional state.
For instance, are you happy in your career and relationships, and do they contribute to your fulfillment in some way? Discard any type of judgment as you ponder these elements of your life, and only make room for honest answers.
As you learn these new skills during your psychotherapy sessions, you can think of them as strategies that will help you remove self-imposed limitations.
Interrupts Negative Thinking Patterns
Negative thinking and self-defeating beliefs feed into adult depression in what can best be described as a vicious circle. A self-defeating belief funnels into a negative thought, which in turn provides fuel for the depression.
Therapy provides an alternative viewpoint that can uproot a self-defeating belief and break the cycle. When you regain control over your thoughts, you gain back control of your life.
Consider setting aside some time for psychotherapy sessions with a trained professional, so you can learn to reconnect with yourself and once again find your inner voice. During your sessions, you will receive the emotional support you need to get your mojo back and kick your depression to the curb.
Learn more about how you can beat adult depression by clicking here: Depression Treatment