Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness in the United States. Millions of adults will experience a period of depression in any given year. One of the best tools for managing depression is counseling, which is also called talk therapy. Therapy for depression is a relationship with a trained practitioner who will listen empathically and teach their clients healthy ways to cope with their depression.
If you or someone you love struggle with depression and need a supportive depression treatment program, you are not alone. The Northern Illinois Recovery Center staff are ready to work with you to help you live a full, healthy life and support your recovery from depression. Reach out today by calling 855.786.1978 or filling out an online intake form.
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What Are Some Signs of Depression?
Getting treated for depression is critical. Left alone, depression can get worse. In some cases, untreated depression leads to death by suicide. For many people, a combination of medication and talk therapy works to manage the symptoms of depression. When most people think about what it means to be depressed, they may imagine feeling sad or crying a lot. While sadness can be one symptom of depression, there are other common symptoms. These include:
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or apathy
- Sleep disturbances—too much sleep or insomnia
- Agitation, excessive crying, restlessness
- Appetite changes—eating more than usual or losing appetite
- Slowed thinking or trouble concentrating
- Thoughts of suicide
Depression can occur at any time in a person’s life, even without an obvious event or identifiable cause. Once you identify symptoms of depression, it is important to seek depression treatment.
Common Types of Therapy for Depression
There are many types of therapy used for depression treatment. Every type of counseling has a common goal: to help people live full, healthy lives and to manage their depression in positive ways. Two forms of therapy–cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)–are commonly used as therapy for depression:
- CBT: Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on giving people the skills to identify and change distorted thoughts and beliefs, leading to destructive behavior. In CBT, people learn skills to cope with current problems. People learn to free themselves from ways of thinking or behaving that prevent them from living the lives they choose.
- DBT: Dialectical-behavioral therapy gives people the tools to live mindfully in the present. These tools allow people to avoid thinking about troubling events in their pasts and worrying about the future. People learn skills to help them improve their relationships with others and better manage their emotions and behaviors. They also focus on reacting to stress in healthy ways and staying emotionally steady during times of stress.
What Can I Expect From Therapy for Depression?
Talking to a therapist about your depression is one of the best ways to start managing your symptoms and working toward recovery. You can expect to have a professional relationship with someone who can help you understand your depression and manage it. You will be treated respectfully and feel safe during your sessions. Your therapist may refer you to a medical professional to see if medication is appropriate. Other common expectations for therapy are:
- Understanding your feelings
- Creating a plan for how you will cope with stress
- Identifying strengths and resources
- Learning healthy emotional self-care methods
- Learning about depression and all available treatment options
Depression treatment is intended to help you live a full, healthy life by giving you the tools and resources you need to manage the symptoms of your depression.
Learn More About Depression Treatment From Northern Illinois Recovery Center
If you or a loved one have symptoms of depression, please reach out to the staff at Northern Illinois Recovery Center for help right away. The sooner you begin your treatment, the better the outcome will be. We want to help you live the healthy, self-directed life you deserve. You can recover from depression. The staff at Northern Illinois Recovery Center is ready to help you. Call 855.786.1978 or fill out an online intake form today.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
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