depression and psychotherapy

My depressive symptoms overwhelmed me in February, and I started seeing a cognitive-behavioral therapist.

My experience with psychotherapy has been mixed. So far, it hasn't cured my depression, but it has provided me with a lot of solutions to specific symptoms. I stopped going to class for a period of over a week, and brought it up with the therapist, who helped me to find the motivation to go the class. She used methods like a pro/con list, pointed out that I felt badly enough about not going to class to be bringing it up with a counselor, and asked me to in effect argue against myself and all my reasons for not attending class. It did the trick. Although its still not easy for me to feel motivated to go to class, I go.

Although it hasn't cured me, I'm a strong believer in cognitive-behavioral therapy. I think its worth it, even if it can't solve the root cause, because it enables me to live a fairly normal life.

If you think you can't afford psychotherapy, resources are available to you. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was able to see a cognitive-behavioral therapist for free through LDS family services. If you attend high school or college, free counselors are available to you. Some health insurances will cover counseling--see if yours will. There are lots of options out there. If you need psychotherapy, you can get it.

What has your experience been like in psychotherapy? What types of psychotherapy have you participated in?

a note about joy and the journey

You should note that Joy and the Journey has a parent website that explains a lot more about depression and a comprehensive guide to forms of prevention, treatment, how to treat people with depression, etc. This website can be found here. I encourage you to check out that website before you post here, to prevent a misunderstanding of this disorder, and to offer much more information than a little blog can handle.

Thanks! You are all wonderful.

Love,
Isabelle

about me!

Hi! My name's Isabelle and I write for Joy and the Journey. I'm an 18 year old university student. I've been battling dysthymic disorder (a slightly less debilitating form of major depressive disorder that lasts 2 or more years) for the past 5 years, but I was only diagnosed last August.

So far, I haven't been able to beat my depression, but I know that eventually I will. In the mean time, I hope I can start up some discussions and conversations amongst all you that struggle with depression, and provide you with my personal experience in treating depression. I'm also a psychology major, so I will also post the things I learn there that might be of help or interest to you.

I intended this blog to be a forum, so don't let me just talk to myself! Get involved. I, and others that are struggling, could use your help, suggestions, questions...anything that can be done to give you hope in overcoming the terrible struggle that is depression.

Love,
Isabelle :-)