Depression & Low Mood | Perspective CBT

Depression Treatment

Do you feel unmotivated or perhaps you no longer enjoy the things that have brought you pleasure and happiness? Have you been feeling pessimistic or perhaps even hopeless? You might be struggling with symptoms of depression, which include:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling "slowed down"
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping
Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause that do not ease even with treatment

These are some of the most common symptoms of depression. It is normal to feel down or sad from time to time, especially in response to life's challenges and disappointments. However, if you are experiencing several of these symptoms on a regular basis, and they are interfering with your daily life and well-being, it is possible that you are dealing with depression.

Have You Been Feeling Low or Sad Lately?

Depression is a Common Problem

It's important to know that you are not alone in your struggle with depression. .According to Statistics Canada's 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) on Mental Health, 4.7% of the Canadian population aged 15 years and over reported symptoms that met the criteria for major depression in the previous 12 months. Depression can affect people of any age, gender, or background, and it is a highly treatable condition.

How I Can Help

After a thorough assessment of your symptoms, personal history and treatment goals, therapy usually begins by helping you gently change behavioural patterns (e.g. no longer seeing your friends or engaging in hobbies) that may be keeping you depressed. This is known as behavioural activation. We would then be taking a look at negative thoughts that may be underlying your feelings of depression and low mood. We would help you challenge these thoughts and come up with a more positive, less depressive perspective. It might turn out that you would benefit from medication as part of your treatment. If this is the case, I would ask you to book an appointment with your family doctor.

Please note that if you are feeling suicidal or unsafe, you need to call a Crisis Line or go to your nearest emergency department.

Crisis Support Lines

Distress Centre

416-408-4357

https://www.torontodistresscentre.com/home-support

Gerstein Centre

416-929-5200

http://gersteincentre.org/our-crisis-services/

Questions & Concerns About Depression Treatment

How is CBT Different from Regular “Talk therapy?”

Unlike regular "talk therapy", which tends to be relatively unstructured, CBT is a structured form of therapy that focuses on helping you identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to your depression. It is a highly active form of therapy that involves working on specific goals and tasks in each session and between sessions. CBT often involves homework assignments and exercises to help you practice new skills and behaviors.

Will I Need to Take Medication?

I wish I could give you a clear "yes" or "no" answer, but all I can is: it depends. The decision to use medication as part of treatment for depression is often based on the severity of your symptoms, your previous treatment history, and any coexisting conditions or risks. Taking medication is certainly not a requirement to work with me, but I may occasionally recommend it.

Major depression, also known as clinical depression or simply depression, is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent low mood, feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest or pleasure in activities, and various other symptoms that significantly interfere with a person's daily life and functioning. Depression can be severe and may require treatment, such as medication and therapy.

Low mood, on the other hand, is a more general term that refers to a period of feeling down or unhappy. It may not necessarily meet the criteria for a diagnosis of major depression, and may not necessarily require treatment. However, if low mood is persistent causing significant distress or impairment in a person's life, it may be helpful to seek support and treatment.

What is the Difference Between Depression and Low Mood?

I'm Not Sure that CBT is Right for Me

It is understandable that you have doubts about whether CBT will be helpful for you. The good news is that CBT has been found to be effective in treating depression and is often recommended as a first-line treatment. With that said, no single treatment is right for everyone. I normally check in with clients regarding their progress verbally and through questionnaires, and if we find that you're not making progress after a few sessions, we can discuss trying a different approach or finding a different therapist.

OK, I think I Struggle with Depression...What Next?

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