Why Depression Sufferers Should See Therapists

Depression is quite common nowadays-statistics say that nearly 10% of people in the United States suffer from it each year, and 30% of women are depressed. Many of these people suffer in silence, so to speak, never talking to their doctors about their problem, let alone their friends and family. Some are able to find the courage to talk to their regular doctors, though they may feel awkward and shy discussing the problem. And it does take courage to speak up, trust me-I know because I suffer from this condition and it took me quite awhile to get the nerve to speak to my doctor.

But, talking with a regular doctor about depression really may not take care of the problem in the best way. Sure, the doctor will likely write a prescription for you, but with so many depression medications on the market it can be difficult to find the right one for each person-and, chances are your regular doctor probably isn't familiar with all of the differences in the various depression medications. It generally takes someone who specializes in this type of study to really understand how all of these medicines work.

So, what should someone with depression do? It was probably hard enough summoning the strength to go to the doctor in the first place and then here I am telling you that a regular doctor really doesn't suffice. I suggest that you find a therapist-a counselor, a psychiatrist, or psychologist-basically someone with whom you can make an appointment to just talk.

How can you find a therapist, for example? I recommend starting with your insurance plan, if you have one. Call the 1-800 number on the back of your insurance card and tell them you would like to see a counselor or therapist-they will tell you if you need a referral from your regular doctor or, if not, they will give you some names of people near your location. If you do not have insurance, there are counseling services that operate on a sliding scale for payment which is based upon your income-call your local welfare office and they can give you the phone numbers of some.

Now that you know how to find a therapist, why should you bother? First of all, your therapist can look at the depression medication you are taking (the one your regular doctor wrote a prescription for) and determine if that is, indeed, the best medication for you. This is quite important because all depression medications are not formulated alike, and what works for one person may not work for another. Being on the right medication is an important first step in helping you.

Secondly-and equally as important-your therapist is there to talk with you. I know that it isn't easy to begin talking with a therapist. In fact, it can feel quite awkward at first, and that is natural. But, your therapist is trained to help people who suffer from depression, so she will be able to help you if you work with her. And, you can always decide to switch to a different therapist if you simply do not like or do not get along with your therapist.

So, what is it like talking to a therapist? Sessions are usually an hour long, and, since that is how all of the therapist's appointments are scheduled, you can count on your appointment being prompt-this isn't like going to a doctor's office where you have to wait until the doctor is ready to see you. For example, if your appointment is at 11:00 a.m., that is when you will see the therapist.

Your first couple of appointments with your therapist will likely focus on your background (your medical history as well as a general overview of your life history). Time will, of course, be spent discussing your depression medication. This is also a time where you and your therapist are getting to know each other. Your therapist will be asking you a lot of questions. Some of the questions she asks may sound rather nosy and inquisitive-she will probably ask about your sex life, for example. No, she isn't trying to be invasive; she just needs to have an accurate understanding of what your life is like. Be sure to be honest with your therapist-but, if you feel uncomfortable answering any type of question, tell her and she will respect that.

Sessions after that will be more conversational. When you come in, your therapist will probably first ask you if you have anything in particular that you need to discuss or if anything has happened since you last saw her. Or, she may just ask a general question like, "How have you been doing?" Your response pretty much dictates the course of the session. If, for example, you have just gone through a rough day with your spouse or kids and you mention that, much of the session may be spent working on that problem. But, if nothing in particular has been going on, your therapist may just try to work on some general coping techniques, discussing various parts of your life and how to deal with them more effectively.

You have to remember that you can say anything to your therapist and she will not repeat it to anyone else (unless, of course, you talk about harming yourself or other people). Your sessions are held in complete confidence, so you can take comfort in knowing that whatever you talk about stays in that room.

So, how does talking with a therapist help? Well, for one thing, it is extremely helpful to have someone that you can go to who is completely neutral, someone who is just going to listen and offer help without being judgmental. Compare that with talking with a friend, for example-your friend might be supportive, of course, but she isn't going to be neutral to your situation and she might not keep things to herself. Also, it is likely that your therapist has other patients suffering from conditions similar to yours-so, she has a much better understanding of what you are going through and can relate to your situation. Your therapist has also had training in dealing with people with depression and she will be able to teach you ways to cope with your condition. And, if you want, your therapist can introduce you to a group therapy session with other depression sufferers-it can be beneficial to see others going through the same problem that you are.

Basically, if you have depression, you shouldn't be wondering if you should go to a therapist-you should be making phone calls to see how soon you can see one. Yes, it does take guts to make that first huge step in making those phone calls, but you will feel so much better after you have done that. Trust me-I know, because I have been in that situation myself. Now I see a therapist once every couple of weeks, and I am so thankful that I am able to do so-it has been extremely helpful in dealing with my depression. I hope you give it a try because it is definitely worth it.