Treatment for Depression: How CBT Can Help


Although depression is one of the most common mental health conditions—falling in line behind anxiety—many people are unsure of how to treat it.

Or, if treatment for depression is even effective.

After all, depression is well known for destroying careers, relationships, and lifestyles. In short, there can be many victims of this mental health condition.

Causing such intense heaviness, some people might feel that getting any type of support is futile.

However, with the help of evidence-based treatment for depression, restoring hope and zeal is doable. Here’s how.

Why Choose Treatment for Depression

As mentioned, depression can be debilitating. Furthermore, it’s also commonly mistaken for a “phase,” sadness, or a matter of choosing to be happy.

Following are a few reasons to choose treatment for depression as opposed to tackling the condition alone.

It’s causing overall health decline.

Depression impacts our entire being, including our bodies.

In fact, there is a strong link between our mental health and the way we feel. Physical symptoms serve as the primary gauge for what’s happening in our minds.

When we experience things like weight change, sleeping issues, or unexplained aches and pains, it’s time to dig a little deeper into the cause.

Symptoms are too severe to manage.

For those dealing with depression, getting out of bed to shower can seem like a feat of strength.

Depression often makes us feel unable to live a normal life. It’s not uncommon to struggle with daily tasks, getting further behind on responsibilities with each new day.

When managing symptoms is too difficult, we should seek treatment for depression.

It’s negatively impacting a career or lifestyle.

As impossible as showering may seem some days, progressing in a career or sustaining a satisfying lifestyle could be even more challenging.

Without treatment for depression, it can start to take over our lives, damaging careers and affecting lifestyles.

We don’t have to suffer.

In seeking treatment for depression, there doesn’t need to be a revolutionary reason.

To put it plainly, we simply don’t have to suffer.

Depression is a treatable mental health condition. We can live fulfilling lives, effectively managing depression.

Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have scientifically-backed success stories. We’re not just crossing our fingers and hoping this therapy works.

In fact, CBT is one of the most effective treatment methods for many types of depression for people of all ages.

CBT works to modify our thought patterns, helping to improve our mood. Rather than delving too much into the past, CBT focuses on habits that are negatively impacting us in the present moment.

Once identified, CBT helps us to alter the habits so we’re not continually sucked into a vortex of depression.

How CBT Can Help Treat Depression

Knowing when to seek help is the first step. The second is committing ourselves to the therapeutic work by understanding it and putting it into practice.

CBT is an effective treatment for depression because it hones in on the harmful thought patterns that drive depression, including:

• All-or-nothing thinking

• Minimizing or maximizing situations (unrealistically)

• Negative focus

• Overgeneralization

• Ignoring the positive

By changing the way we perceive and respond to stress, CBT empowers us to cope with the triggers more effectively.

Also, CBT encourages a sense of accomplishment by teaching us how to establish rewards in our lives. This not only creates long-lasting change but makes changing more enjoyable as well.

If you’re seeking treatment for depression in San Diego, please visit here to learn more about our services.