Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Depression is a mental health disorder that impacts the way you feel, think, and behave. Depression looks like a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed. Depression is a persistent condition, typically lasting for two weeks or longer. Depression goes beyond sorrow. A constant sadness and indifference can leave you feeling flat, empty, and passive. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression is a well-established, evidence-based psychological treatment that is effective for depression to help manage the symptoms and cope with the underlying issues that cause it and has proven highly effective in improving depressive symptoms and preventing relapse. It is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy that supports people to modify their thoughts and behaviors to improve their disposition for better daily functioning. It identifies and modifies unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to improve mental health and well-being.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Difficulty functioning in daily activities, work, school, social, and relationships.
- Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or oversleeping.
- Lack of energy, feeling exhausted
- Loss of interest in sexual intimacy
- Significant appetite and weight gain or loss of 5% of body weight within one month
- Engaging in irresponsible behavior, such as alcohol and substance use, gambling, dangerous activities, and reckless driving.
- Anxiety, tension, or restlessness
- Loss of energy, fatigue, lethargy, where small tasks are exhausting
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-blame
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and focusing.
- Challenges in decision-making and difficulty remembering events, people, and situations.
- Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
- Physical complaints, including headaches, stomach, aching muscles, and back aches.
WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE RISK
Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. Feelings of despair and hopelessness can make suicide feel like the only way to escape. Note any suicidal ideation or behavior seriously and observe for the warning signs:
- Expressing about killing or harming oneself.
- Strong feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.
- An unusual concern and preoccupation with death or dying.
- Reckless behavior, acting as if they have a death desire.
- Saying goodbye to family and friends
- Making sure their business and personal affairs are in order.
- Saying things like “Everyone would be better off without me.”
- A sudden turnaround from feeling depressed to acting calm and happy.
CBT therapy for depression treatment is a structured framework with a therapeutic process providing specific treatment goals, clear objectives, and tracking progress. The goal-oriented approach supports individuals with depression to obtain a sense of self-efficacy, empowerment, and growth in their recovery journey.
I understand that taking the first step toward seeking help can be challenging. I am dedicated to supporting you on your path to healing and recovery. You deserve to live a meaningful and happy life. Please contact me today to schedule an appointment to take the first step toward a brighter and more optimistic future.
If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number immediately.
In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
Reach out to a close friend or loved one. Contact a minister, spiritual leader, or someone in your faith community.
If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
