In the U.S., an estimated 17 million adult Americans are known to have depression during a 1-year period. Depression is a mental disorder that has been misunderstood over time. People view it as a sign of weakness rather than an illness that requires support and medical attention. Wrong diagnosis is also common in depression because its symptoms can be identified in other mental disorders. Antidepressant medications are usually given when the diagnosis is made. One medication often prescribed is Zoloft. However, this can be a disadvantage because antidepressants including Zoloft, are linked with the increased risk of suicide thoughts in children and young adolescents. Apart from that,  the report that Zoloft can cause more than the cardiac birth defects when taken during pregnancy is alarming. There are alternative treatments to depression aside from medications and that includes psychotherapy.


What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a treatment modality performed in patients suffering from major depression but is also applicable for other mental disorders. This treatment plan sees the individual as a person with normal response to experience and survival. Psychotherapy tries to understand the person and heals him/her knowing the root of the condition unlike the medical model where it is viewed as a disease. The approach of psychodynamics to depression is that it is a defense mechanism or a coping behaviour of an individual to avoid further pain or suffering, emotionally speaking.


How Can Psychotherapy Help?

The initial goal is to help the person gain self-awareness. Your therapist can help identify problems contributing to your depression and might help in making you understand which of those can be solved or improved. He/she can also point out negative behaviours or ideations that come with the illness. Your therapist is there to help you understand the meaning behind your thoughts and feelings. He/she can help you establish coping mechanisms ideal for your situation so you can have the ultimate goal which is to regain control and pleasure in life. Psychotherapy can be paired with drugs as this is helpful in relieving the symptoms of depression. However, side effects from medications can happen like the birth defects caused by Zoloft, a type of antidepressant.


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