Depression afflict millions of people around the world but unfortunately, only a small part of this overwhelming statistic get treated. The social stigma that comes with being ‘sick in the mind’ is daunting to most people. Feelings of depression can be normal from time to time, but if these feelings persevere and affect the person’s way of life and well-being, or worse, pose a threat to life then cure depression Malaysia is a must. Depression stifles the human freedom and snaps the person’s sense of engagement and pleasure in life.
The list of factors that causes depression is long. Some people are predisposed to mood disorders and some were blessed with genetic disposition that can withstand pressures. The environmental factor certainly plays a big role in causing depression. Part of the environmental factor is the presence of stress. So, stress management, or mismanagement, often triggers the onset of depression. Some people cannot get over with traumatic or emotionally scarring events so much so that they succumb to the feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Some specialists insist that depression should be treated with medication alone, but some suggest that psychotherapy – without medication – could suffice. Researches were done to study which mode of treatment is effective in treating depression. The results showed that both are helpful and that a combination of psychotherapy and medication is likely to work more effectively than either alone. This is true especially with moderate to severe cases of depression.
There are various methods used by psychotherapists. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic-Oriented Therapy are two of the most commonly used intervention methods.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is focused on altering negative thoughts that create negative emotions. It is the therapist’s aim to help the client replace these self-defeating beliefs, unrealistic thinking and negative thoughts with more positive and realistic thoughts. When the client becomes adept at transforming negative thoughts and perceptions, the likelihood of having psychological disturbance significantly decreases.
The Psychodynamic-Oriented Therapy involves understanding the person’s present condition through the context of his past. It is important for the therapist to dig though the person’s early life history. Almost every therapist who uses this type of intervention will ask about family of origin, significant figures in early life, belief system, physical and psychological trauma and so on. Treatment of this nature takes longer session compared to others due to its extensive historical research as part of dealing with the present crisis.
Antidepressant medications, on the other hand, are usually prescribed to deal with the biological symptoms of depression such as sleeplessness, decrease in appetite and weight, swinging moods, constipation and so on. As mentioned earlier, these medications are useful, especially when combined with therapy. Many people believed that disastrous side effects come with antidepressants and they can be habit forming as well. However, the newer type of antidepressants (known as serotonin specific uptake inhibitors or SSRI) is found to have minimal side effects compared to the older varieties and they are not habit forming unlike the medicines for general anxiety disorders.