The Pros And Cons Of Psychotherapy For Depression

If you are depressed, one of the ways that depression may be treated is with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, involves talking with a mental health professional about your thoughts and feelings. Based on these thoughts and feelings, you and the professional can pinpoint things to change. If you change the way you think, behave or interact with people, you may be able to slowly change the way you feel about yourself, your job, your relationships and your life, helping to prevent you from sliding deeper into depression and improve your depression. However, there are many different ways that depression can be treated. If your mental health provider has suggested psychotherapy, you may be interested in learning about the pros and cons. This can help you decide if you feel it is right for you. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of psychotherapy for depression.

Cons of Psychotherapy for Depression

  • It Can Take Time Until You Begin to Feel Better

One of the downsides to psychotherapy for depression is that it is not a quick fix. It takes time until you may begin to feel better. Many people report seeing progress after their sixth to twelfth visit. And since most visits are weekly or bi-weekly, this can be anywhere from six to 24 weeks. Because it takes time, this method is only recommended for those who may be suffering from mild to moderate depression. If you are suffering from severe depression or are having suicidal thoughts, your health or mental health professional may recommend a treatment course that delivers faster results, such as medication. Once you have improved, this method may be recommend at a later time.

  • Health Insurance May Not Cover Psychotherapy Sessions

The other disadvantage to psychotherapy is that your health insurance may not cover psychotherapy sessions or may limit the number of visits they will cover in one year. On the other hand, most insurance plans will cover the cost of antidepressant medication. If your insurance does not have good mental health insurance coverage, this is important to keep in mind, especially if you are on a tight budget.

Pros of Psychotherapy for Depression

  • You Learn How to Cope With Triggers

One of the biggest advantages to using psychotherapy for depression is that you learn to cope with the things that trigger your depression. Failing to reach your goals, ending a relationship or feeling stressed out can all cause you to feel depressed and trigger a bout of depression. However, with psychotherapy, you learn to identify these triggers and learn how to change your behavior to better cope with them. The most common alternative to psychotherapy is antidepressant medications. When you take these medications, you aren't getting the opportunity to learn to cope with your triggers and change your behaviors, so this can be a huge perk.

  • You Avoid the Side Effects of Anti-Depression Medication

The other major benefit to psychotherapy is that it can help you avoid the side effects of anti-depression medication. Antidepressants can have a wide range of side effects including nausea, weight gain, loss of sexual desire, fatigue, insomnia, agitation or anxiety. If you are severely depressed, the risks of you being unable to function or live normally outweigh the side effects of these drugs. However, if you are only mildly or moderately depressed, you may want to look for alternative ways to manage your depression without all of the risks. Psychotherapy is one of these options.

If you suspect you may be struggling with depression, you will want to talk to your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. They can evaluate you and help diagnose you. If they do feel you are suffering from depression, they may suggest psychotherapy to help you cope. Learning the pros and cons can help you decide if you feel that psychotherapy may be beneficial for you. Contact a clinic like The Genen Group for more information.

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