Fewer than two-thirds of people with depression ever seek treatment. One reason is that many people still do not consider depression an illness that can or should be treated by a medical professional. However, more than 80% of people with depression can be successfully treated.

Treatment for depression usually utilizes medication or therapy or both. A proper diagnosis is essential for determining the correct treatment, as different types of depression are treated with different medications.

Many insurance companies are reluctant to authorize psychotherapy for treatment of depression, since it is more expensive than a course of medication, but for many people with depression, psychotherapy is an important component of a treatment plan, especially if they have been depressed for a long time. It's worth challenging your insurance company's decision if they deny psychotherapy treatment.

A note about antidepressant treatment
Choosing a Psychiatrist
How to Find Help Through Psychotherapy
Therapy FAQ

Posted: Sep 04, 2009

Millions of Americans have found relief from depression and other emotional difficulties through psychotherapy. Even so, some people find it hard to get started or stay in psychotherapy. This brief question-and-answer guide provides some basic information to help individuals take advantage of outpatient (non-hospital) psychotherapy.

Why do people consider using psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a partnership between an individual and a professional such as a psychologist who is licensed and trained to help people understand their feelings and assist them with changing their behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-third of adults in the United States experience an emotional or substance abuse problem. Nearly 25 percent of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety.

People often consider psychotherapy, also known simply as therapy, under the following circumstances:
- They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.
- Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, they are unable to concentrate on assignments and their job performance suffers as a result.
- Their actions are harmful to themselves or to others. For instance, they drink too much alcohol and become overly aggressive.
- They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.

What does research show about the effectiveness of psychotherapy?

Research suggests that therapy effectively decreases patients' depression and anxiety and related symptoms- such as pain, fatigue and nausea. Psychotherapy has also been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body's immune system. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are very closely linked and that therapy can improve a person's overall health status.

There is convincing evidence that most people who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than untreated individuals with emotional difficulties. One major study showed that 50 percent of patients noticeably improved after eight sessions while 75 percent of individuals in therapy improved by the end of six months. Psychotherapy with children is similar in effectiveness to psychotherapy with adults.

How do I find a qualified therapist?

Selecting a therapist is a highly personal matter. A professional who works very well with one individual may not be a good choice for another person. There are several ways to get referrals to qualified therapists, such as licensed psychologists, including the following:
- Talk to close family members and friends for their recommendations, especially if they have had a good experience with psychotherapy.
- Many state psychological associations operate referral services which put individuals in touch with licensed and competent mental health providers. (Call the American Psychological Association's consumer information line at 800-964-2000 to be connected to the appropriate state organization.)
- Ask your primary care physician (or other health professional) for a referral. Tell the doctor what's important to you in choosing a therapist so he or she can make appropriate suggestions. - Inquire at your church or synagogue.
- Look in the phone book for the listing of a local mental health association or community mental health center and check these sources for possible referrals.

Ideally, you will end up with more than one lead. Call and request the opportunity, either by phone or in person, to ask the therapist some questions. You might want to inquire about his or her licensure and level of training, approach to psychotherapy, participation in insurance plans and fees. Such a discussion should help you sort through your options and choose someone with whom you believe you might interact well.

If I begin psychotherapy, how should I try to gain the most from it?

There are many approaches to outpatient psychotherapy and various formats in which it may occur, including individual, group and family psychotherapy. Despite the variations, all psychotherapy is a two-way process that works especially well when patients and their therapists communicate openly. Research has shown that the outcome of psychotherapy is improved when the therapist and patient agree early about what the major problems are and how psychotherapy can help.

You and your therapist both have responsibilities in establishing and maintaining a good working relationship. Be clear with your therapist about your expectations and share any concerns that may arise. Psychotherapy works best when you attend all scheduled sessions and give some forethought to what you want to discuss during each one.

How can I evaluate whether therapy is working well?

As you begin psychotherapy, you should establish clear goals with your therapist. Perhaps you want to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression. Or maybe you would like to control a fear that disrupts your daily life. Keep in mind that certain tasks require more time to accomplish than others. You may need to adjust some of your goals depending on how long you plan to be in psychotherapy.

After a few sessions, it's a good sign if you feel the experience is truly a joint effort and that you and the therapist enjoy a good rapport. On the other hand, you should be open with your therapist if you find yourself feeling "stuck" or lacking direction once you've been in psychotherapy awhile.

There may be times when a therapist appears cold and uninterested or doesn't seem to regard you positively. Tell your therapist if this is the situation, or if you question other aspects of his or her approach. If you find yourself thinking about discontinuing psychotherapy, talk with your therapist. It might be helpful to consult another professional, provided you let your therapist know you are seeking a second opinion.

Patients often feel a wide range of emotions during psychotherapy. Some qualms about psychotherapy that people may have result from the difficulty of discussing painful and troubling experiences. When this happens, it can actually be a positive sign indicating that you are starting to explore your thoughts and behaviors.

You should spend time with your therapist periodically reviewing your progress (or your concern that you are not making sufficient headway). Although there are other considerations affecting the duration of psychotherapy, success in reaching your primary goals should be a major factor in deciding when your psychotherapy should end.

Psychotherapy isn't easy, but patients who are willing to work in close partnership with their therapists often find relief from their emotional distress and begin to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

© 2004 American Psychological Association

Posted: Apr 22, 2009

tags: psychotherapy, talk therapy, therapy, treatment

As I said in a previous SharePost , there are other ways to treat mild to moderate Seasonal Affective Disorder besides light therapy. They include exercise, cognitive therapy and increased exposure to natural light. However, if those measures don't alleviate your SAD, you probably want to look into light therapy. Since it should be conducted under the direction of your doctor, I'm just going to explore it here in general.

Read on

Posted: Mar 03, 2009

tags: sad, seasonal affective disorder, treatment

Times are tough, economically, for most Americans. Although my husband and I have faced challenges in the past, financially, things right now are probably the grimmest they've ever been for us. We actually could almost qualify for food stamps. I've spent the morning going over our budget, slashing our expenses to the bone to see if we'll be able to pay our bills. As long as we have no emergencies and eat a lot of beans and rice, we might be able to make it. 

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Posted: Feb 14, 2009

A few months ago, my psychiatrist recommended that I take folic acid supplements, as they might boost the effectiveness of my antidepressants. I was surprised to hear his recommendation, as the idea was completely new to me. I had of course taken folic acid when my husband and I were trying to conceive, but didn't know much about it otherwise.

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Posted: Feb 14, 2009

tags: antidepressants, treatment