Mental health problems like depression have long been overshadowed by almost every physical ailment. The truth remains that people would rather talk about heart disease and various debilitating physical conditions than mental health.
Depression is one of the prevalent mental health conditions in Australia. Statistics indicate that 1 in every 6 Australian suffers from depression. The rate continues to go high with the recent pandemic as people try to cope with the new normal setting.
To put the whole picture together, the World Health Organization estimates a total of 1.3 million Australians have a depressive disorder. The depression rate is the highest in the Western Pacific Region, requiring the government to advocate depression treatment strongly.
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A Clear Definition of Depression
Although it’s normal for a person to experience a depressive state at some points in their lives, it becomes a considerable problem when the symptoms become affecting. When a person goes through several mental, social, and physical changes, depression becomes a serious medical illness.
Such a condition becomes so affecting that it alters your emotions, the way you think, and, ultimately, your behavior. Manic depression, or the state of feeling emotionally and physically down for long periods, potentially leads to suicidal thoughts.
Symptoms of depression vary from one person to another and can manifest itself from mild, severe, or chronic. Some of the notable symptoms include:
- Depressed mood or feeling extremely sad
- Loss of interest in normal activities once enjoyed
- Dieting unrelated weight loss or weight gain
- Sleeping problems
- Guilt and feelings of worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
Symptoms that last for more than two weeks, coupled with some behavioral changes, are already considered depression. Fortunately, the mental problem is treatable with treatment options like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT.
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The Role of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in Treating Depression
CBT is one of the most effective treatment protocols for depression. Clinicians also claim that it is twice as effective as most prescribed medications and able to prevent relapses. Antidepressants alter the brain’s chemical composition, including the brain’s emotional center.
On the other hand, CBT directly responds to the cerebral cortex, the reasoning seat of the brain. People undergoing treatment find ways to process their emotions to change their minds and behavior more healthily.
By responding to the brain’s reasoning seat, CBT allows people to reprocess their negative emotions and change it for the better. Once these negative emotions start flooding in, people undergoing CBT for their depression gain the right skills to fight off sudden relapses.
Rechannelling Your Energies to Combat Bouts of Depression after CBT Treatment
There are proven effective ways of getting your life back after depression treatment. One good way is to accept all the changes that are happening and finding ways to have that same purpose and passion.
Experts would often tell you to go back to your normal self, but it is not always the case. People who’ve been through a depressive state feel ashamed of their condition and find it hard to regain their life purposes.
Most often, this is where a support group comes in. Engaging the help of people who have undergone the same state can be a powerful way of getting a solid foundation. It helps you find the right emotional stability and mental tenacity to fight any possible relapse.
It is also critical to go back and find reasons to do all the things you have enjoyed doing before. Rechannel your energy by changing your thought patterns and re-igniting your dreams and passions.
