Getting Help for Depression

Depression is a severe disease, and the prevalence of it today is at an all-time high. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression affects approximately 21 million American adults today.

Although depression is extremely common among adults, it often goes undetected due to the nature of the disease. However, if left untreated, depression causes long-term feelings of sadness and hopelessness and could lead to suicide in the most severe cases. 

Someone who suffers from depression must seek treatment immediately, either from a doctor or psychiatrist, or reach out for depression counseling services.

What Is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that disrupts the brain due to chemical imbalances, which cause significant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and severe impairment in daily living activities. 

Depression is not only difficult for the person suffering from the disease, but it also affects those who love and care about them. In addition, since the disease causes difficulties maintaining social interaction and day-to-day tasks are seemingly impossible, relationships often suffer.

Types of Depression

There are many different types of depression. However, some of the most commonly diagnosed forms include major depression, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar depression, and seasonal depression. Each form of depression is diagnosed by a medical professional after careful analysis of symptoms and, in some cases, cognitive tests. 

In general, symptoms of depression must be present for at least two weeks to be diagnosed as a depressive disorder. Persistent depressive disorder, however, is only diagnosed if symptoms last a least two years.

Depression Counseling

Getting help for depression is the first step to recovery and is crucial if you want to heal from the disease properly. Depression counseling services use a combination of talk therapy and medication (only if prescribed by your doctor) to create a treatment plan that works best for your specific type of depression. 

The following types of talk therapy and psychotherapy are all proven ways to treat someone suffering from depression effectively. 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is a type of therapy that works to change the way you think and behave through talk sessions and mental development. 
• Counseling for Depression (CfD): Counselors allow patients to open up to them emotionally and pinpoint triggers for the depression to create an individually tailored treatment plan. 
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): This therapy utilizes meditation techniques to encourage a mindfulness approach to exploring the patient's innermost thoughts and feelings.
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This therapy focuses on teaching the patient how to change their internal response to external factors over which they have no control. 
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Promotes the patient to have a deeper understanding of why they are feeling the way they do and taps into deep emotions. 
• Group Therapy: Counselors allow a group of patients to come together and talk about their emotions collectively as a group. 
• Art Therapy: Allows patients to use an artistic outlet to describe their emotions and helps with self-expression and diagnosis. 

What To Expect During a Single Session or First-Time Appointment for Short-Term Counseling

Suppose your doctor decides that short-term depression counseling services or a one-time counseling session are preferable for your condition. In that case, they will likely try to schedule your appointment as early as possible. 

The most common wait time for your first-time appointment is usually a few days. However, if you feel this is an emergency and you need to speak with someone sooner, talk with your doctor. They will connect you to someone that can help immediately. 

Your first appointment will take approximately 45-60 minutes, with additional time added for paperwork and forms. You will then be prompted to schedule a follow-up session as well if the counselor feels this is an appropriate step in your treatment plan. 

It is crucial that you show up on time or at least 15 minutes early so that you don’t risk the chance of needing to be rescheduled. You will also need to fill out demographic sheets, medical history forms, and an agreement to treatment before starting your session. Finally, your counselor will review the Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) policies and procedures, such as confidentiality. 

Find a Counselor Today!

If you feel depression is taking over your life, take back control today! Find a counselor and depression counseling services that will meet your needs and help you find the treatment you deserve. 

Elevate Rockwall counseling services offer a team of highly professional counselors that care about your mental health and well-being. They provide personalized treatment plans that target individualized needs in a professional and confidential manner. In addition, they offer marriage counseling, play therapy, grief counseling, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) counseling, and many other areas of expertise that may be needed. 

Contact Elevate Rockwall to speak with a professional counselor today and start your journey to recovery.