DEPRESSION CURES - more here soon!

PSYCHOTHERAPIES

Many forms of psychotherapy, including some short-term (10-20 week) therapies, can help depressed individuals. "Talking" therapies help patients gain insight into and resolve their problems through verbal exchange with the therapist, sometimes combined with "homework" assignments between sessions. "Behavioral" therapists help patients learn how to obtain more satisfaction and rewards through their own actions and how to unlearn the behavioral patterns that contribute to or result from their depression.

Two of the short-term psychotherapies that research has shown helpful for some forms of depression are interpersonal and cognitive/behavioral therapies (CBT). Interpersonal therapists focus on the patient's disturbed personal relationships that both cause and exacerbate the depression. Cognitive/behavioral therapists help patients learn to recognise and change the negative styles of thinking and behaving often associated with depression. CBT has become widely recognised as the most effective form of strategic therapy.

Some people believe that the more severe depressive conditions, particularly those that are debilitating to the point of affecting the person's ability to get out of bed and function in daily life, will benefit from medication for a short time. In this case, the medication should only be used as a tool to get the patient started in some form of psychotherapy. Unfortunately, these medications have some severe and dangerous side effects, the least of which may actually impede psychotherapudic progress..

HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED

Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the actual circumstances. Your councelor can help you understanding the causes of your negative thoughts and teach you to recognise that they are just thoughts and not facts, and that you have the ability to change them and change your life. These thoughts will fade as you make progress dealing with any underlying issues. Meanwhile:

* Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.
* Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.
* Try to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.
* Participate in activities that may make you feel better.
* Mild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help.
* Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.
* Getting help understanding the causes of your mood and thoughts; changing your perspective and the way you interpret your thoughts will lessen the symptoms of depression and affectively change your life.
* Let your family and friends help you.

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