Is CBT an Effective Treatment for Depression?
Written By Lane Balaban
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. While it affects people differently, it typically causes overwhelming feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness.
If there’s a silver lining to this condition, it’s that there are a variety of treatment and management solutions designed to help. Of course, that might leave you wondering which of those solutions is the right fit for you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for depression, focusing on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors and replacing them with positive ones.
Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from CBT if you’re dealing with depression and how it can help.
How Does CBT Work?
CBT is a type of therapy that challenges you to uncover negative and unhelpful thought patterns that are keeping you in a state of depression. Identifying those thoughts isn’t always easy on your own. So, working with a therapist to dig deeper and uncover the root of your depression can make a big difference.
Once you can identify those negative thought patterns, you can start to challenge them. Your therapist will help you fight back against negative thoughts and replace them with more positive, realistic ones.
You’ll accomplish this through cognitive restructuring, which allows you to question the validity of negative thought patterns. As you start to realize that most of those negative thoughts are unhelpful and likely aren’t as real as they seem, you’ll be able to stay more grounded in positive thought processes.
Sticking to the Present
One of the unique things about CBT is that it allows you to focus on the present rather than spending a lot of time digging into the past. You’ll focus on the current problems affecting your life and how they might contribute to your mental state.
Staying grounded in the present makes it easier for some of the techniques used in CBT to be effective. In addition to learning more about your negative thought patterns, you’ll learn behavioral strategies that can help you modify specific behaviors that could be impacting your quality of life.
If you’re facing difficult situations that cause your depression to become worse, CBT can equip you with the necessary coping skills to keep moving forward. You’ll learn how to manage stress, practice self-care, and improve your well-being on a daily basis.
A Collaborative Process
There’s personal work involved in almost every type of therapy. No matter how many appointments you have, there are things you’ll have to do on your own to put what you learn into practice.
With that being said, however, CBT is a very structured and collaborative modality. You’ll work with your therapist to establish clear goals and solutions that will help you reach those goals.
This process recognizes that your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected. As a result, focusing on changing one area can help to make a positive shift in other areas. This kind of structure can make it easier to see changes happen, so you’ll be more motivated to stick with the process and step away from harmful, self-sabotaging thought patterns.
Is CBT Right for You?
Changing your thinking patterns isn’t something that’s easy to do on your own, especially if you’ve been dealing with negative ideas for a long time. If you’re ready to make a change and shift those patterns, CBT is an effective, safe, and research-backed option. Not only can it help with depression, but it can also improve symptoms of anxiety and certain phobias.
If you’re interested in learning more about what to expect from CBT or are ready to set up a consultation, please contact me soon for more information about teen depression therapy.
