Behavioral Therapy for Depression

Overcome Depression With the Help of Behavioral Therapy

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems worldwide, with over 264 million people currently dealing with depression. When left untreated, this condition can make it hard to function regularly or take care of yourself. If you want to avoid the potentially fatal effects of depression, it is important to seek depression treatment as soon as possible. There are all sorts of treatments for depression, ranging from medication to therapy. One type of therapy, called behavioral therapy, is particularly effective.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Recognizing that you have depression can actually be very hard. Not everyone gets the same symptoms, and being depressed does not necessarily mean you are sad all the time. Here are some of the most common signs you may have depression:

  • Outbursts of anger over even small inconveniences
  • Lack of interest in things you used to love
  • Persistent feelings of emptiness and meaninglessness
  • Inability to experience any emotions, negative or positive
  • Feelings of sadness and sorrow
  • Persistent, intrusive feelings of guilt or self-hatred
  • Difficulties sleeping too much or too little
  • Changes to weight and appetite
  • Difficulty focusing or remembering things
  • Vague, unexplained physical issues like headaches and stomach pain
  • Extreme lack of energy to do even small, daily tasks
  • Recurrent thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or death

What Is Behavioral Therapy?

Behavioral therapy is one of the most common depression treatments. This is a type of clinical psychotherapy that focuses primarily on people’s behaviors. The philosophy of behavior therapy is that thoughts, environments, and behaviors are very closely connected. By carefully examining a patient’s environment and thought patterns, therapists can identify where harmful behaviors are coming from. Furthermore, behaviors can potentially be adjusted to improve a patient’s outlook.

Behavioral therapy is a very broad term that encompasses a variety of therapy types. It is primarily used to help people with mental health disorders. Behavioral therapy can assist with managing behaviors that are self-destructive or otherwise unhealthy. It can improve a patient’s overall wellbeing and help them to achieve a more mentally healthy state.

Types of Behavioral Therapy

Since behavioral therapy is such a broad term, it can be helpful to learn a little about the therapeutic methods used by behavioral therapists. These are some of the most common types of behavioral therapy.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: This therapy is a change-oriented behavioral therapy. Patients identify the triggers for unhealthy thoughts or behavior, and then they work to find healthier coping methods and move to better behavioral patterns.
  • Aversion therapy: This type of therapy encourages people to associate a behavior with an unpleasant stimulus. For example, a patient with alcoholism may learn to associate alcohol with an unpleasant memory of something painful or embarrassing that happened while drunk.
  • Rational emotive behavioral therapy: This therapy seeks to manage emotional or behavioral imbalances. Patients identify irrational beliefs, and then their therapist teaches them to explore and challenge these beliefs. Over time, patients learn to face irrational thought patterns and develop healthier cognitive strategies.
  • System desensitization: Also called exposure therapy, this behavioral therapy is a type of classical conditioning. The therapist teaches a patient how to use breathing and relaxation techniques to gradually become more comfortable when exposed to a phobia.
  • Dialectical behavior therapy: This therapy is designed to help patients with very rigid worldviews learn how to combine seemingly opposite ideas. Patients learn how to better balance emotions and discover healthier ways of interacting with others.

How Behavioral Therapy Helps Treat Depression

There are all sorts of applications for behavior therapy, and one of the most common uses is treating depression. Behavioral therapy for depression works well because it teaches patients how to deal with the stressors that may be contributing to depression. Depression has many physical factors, such as the decreased production of certain neurotransmitters, so therapy alone is usually not enough to treat it. However, behavioral therapy does help patients better navigate all the challenges of living with depression.

The exact way that behavioral therapy for depression assists a patient will depend on what sort of therapy they choose to attend. It can help with all sorts of harmful behavior that worsens depression, such as taking things too personally, dwelling on negative details, ignoring positive experiences, or being overly self-critical. By working with a behavioral therapist, patients with depression can develop more constructive thought patterns and actions.

How TMS Works in Conjunction with REBT

Transcranial magnetic stimulation can work alongside behavioral therapy for depression. TMS is an FDA-approved depression treatment that has been shown to work on medication-resistant depression. It is a pain-free and non-invasive procedure that involves sending magnetic pulses around your head. This helps to stimulate brain activity in areas with low activity due to depression.

Typically, the best outcomes are received by combining behavioral therapies like REBT or CBT with TMS. Patients go for regular TMS sessions to help encourage brain function. Some people may do best with daily sessions, while others may just go a few times a week. Meanwhile, they also schedule REBT sessions with a licensed therapist at least once a week. The therapy helps address negative thought patterns and helps patients find a healthier way of thinking about their challenges.

If you or a loved one has depression, the right treatment can be literally lifechanging. At Pulse TMS, we are devoted to making sure our patients get the best care possible. Our TMS treatments may help alleviate depression symptoms and help you feel healthier. We are happy to coordinate with your therapist or other healthcare experts, so you can get individualized care. To learn more about our services, get in touch with us now.