Out Of The Blue : Six Non Medication Strategies For Relieving Depression

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively tested psychotherapies for depression. Many studies have confirmed the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for depression. This paper will provide background information about the intervention, address the target population, and describe program structure and key components. It will also provide examples of program implementation, challenges/barriers to implementing the practice, address how the practice supports recovery from a serious mental illness standpoint and provide a summary. Although there are several types of therapy available to treat depression and other mood disorders, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) has been one of the most widely

How a counselor assesses a client with major depressive disorder, they must take note of the client’s severity level, variety of symptoms occurring, and the duration of symptoms. After gathering this information, an appropriate treatment plan can be developed that best suits the client’s needs. Broderick and Blewitt (2015), list the following as effective forms of treatments when working with young adults with MDD, “pharmacological, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), interpersonal (IPT), and mindfulness-based cognitive” (p.434). For example, a young adult who is experiencing a family relationship challenges can benefit from interpersonal therapy. In addition to experiencing relationship challenges, a counselor can recommend family counseling. Furthermore,

1. Grohol, J. (2006). Depression Treatment. Psych Central. Retrieved on August 12, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/depression-treatment/000646

“Recent data estimate the overall prevalence of depression at about 11.1% of the American population, or nearly 35 million individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). A predictive models suggest that up to 50% of the population will experience at least one episode of depression during their lives” (Life Extension, 2014). Depression has negatively affected the lives of many individuals throughout the world. Look around you there may even be someone close to you that is demonstrating signs of its stifling affects. Depression does not discriminate with its suffocating

The use of prescription drugs has become prevalent in our society for treating mental illness. Television commercial breaks are inundated with ads for prescription medication. If a person seeking help visits a psychiatrist’s office to get help for depression, anxiety, or ADHD, they are likely to get a quick swipe of a pen on a little white prescription pad and be sent on their way. While prescriptions can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of mental illness, they cannot cure the underlying source of the problem. This has been found to be the case for depression. “The effectiveness of antidepressants is being called into question more and more, while the research behind the value of behavioral interventions is growing. A study suggested that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was as effective in preventing relapse in chronic depression as antidepressants” (Walton). Using medication by itself may give people the relief they need in the short-run, but therapy can have lasting results that will improve the person’s quality of life in lasting ways.

The use of psychotropic medication can be an effective part of the therapeutic process when treating clients with major depression and other mood disorders. Segal, Kennedy, Cohen & Group CDW (2010), as cited by Sheperis (2015), affirm that a combination of medications and therapy are more effective than counseling alone when treating depression. While the clinical mental health counselor (CMHC) is not qualified to prescribe medications, they may refer the client to a medical professional when a diagnosis indicates it is warranted. (Sheperis, 2015). Once prescribed, the CMHC takes on the important role of educating and monitoring the client regarding their medications.

Brain stimulation therapies are non pharmacological method which involves activating or touching the brain directly with electricity, magnets, or implants to treat depression and other disorders. Among many techniques, electroconvulsive therapy is the most researched stimulation therapy.

The following essay is a case study of a client named John who is suffering from major depression and was sent to see me for treatment by his concerned wife. I will provide brief background information about John then further discuss interventions and strategies I believe can be applied in each session with my client in order to make John's life more manageable. In the essay, I will be writing as the therapist, and the sessions are based on a ten week period.

A 54 year old patient named Rod suffered from severe depression since the age of 17. He tried many combinations of therapy and medications for over 2 decades with no success, however, at the age of 53, Rod went to the Calabasa TMS Center for a three week TMS treatment, and his depression was greatly improved. Now, he still attends therapy and a routine TMS treatment, and his depression is cured. He spoke of the treatment in an interview with the center, “TMS has eliminated the depression and allowed me to be awake and alive” (Success Story).

4. Challenge negative thinking. MHS explained how getting out and building new friendship can help him stay connected. MHS informed the client how exercise is can do boost his mood when he feels sad. MHS discussed the importance on do things that make him feel good can help a lot with his depression. MHS shared how he can express you creatively through music, art, or writing or

More people suffer from depression than you might think. People of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, and nationalities get clinical depression. An estimated 35 to 40 million Americas living today will suffer from major depression at some time during their lives. (4) This is about 13 to 20 percent of all Americans. (1) About half of these individuals will experience recurring depression. (3) Despite being what authorities call "the nation's leading mental health problem" (6), depression is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, and therefore not treated. (4) Often as a result, about 25 percent of these people attempt suicide to end their

As the literature remains inconclusive as to the relation between current major treatment modalities and depressive disorder, and given the extremities of the potential dangers of antidepressant medications, it is apparent that there is a need to develop new interventions, which show greater efficacy, safety, and acceptability.

However, there are a couple different options for depression therapy. In this essay, I will

Major depressive disorder affects nearly 15 million of American adults in a given year. (Kessler, Chiu, Demler & Walters, 2005). With the impact it has on the society as well as the well-being of the individual, it must be in the interest of the healthcare to be able to provide patients with the most effective treatment method. Extensive research has been conducted on the efficacy of antidepressant medication and cognitive therapy, the two main treatment methods used for depression today. The discussion has, however, been characterized by conflicting claims, resulting in a debate over what should be used rather than us having definite conclusion of how patients are best helped.

The first step to treating many of these new cases of depression is the prescription and use of antidepressant medication, however this has cause a mass flooding of our society with unnecessary prescription drugs. Due to the ease of treatment, primarily with prescription drugs, and the large range of severity in depression is often over diagnosed, adding to the problem.