Why Counseling May Be A Better Option Than Medication If You Suffer From Depression

Feeling depressed is something most people go through from time to time, but it is not something you should feel every day of your life. If you constantly feel like you are in a deep depression, your doctor may suggest taking antidepressants to help you feel better. While this can be a good solution in some cases, seeking help from a counselor may be a better option. Here are a couple things to know about this subject.

Medication may not be necessary

Antidepressants are great for people with severe depression caused by a major traumatic event or a mental illness, but they are not the best solution for a person that is struggling through some difficult times in life. The problems with these medications are that it can take time for them to work, and that it often takes trying several types before you find one that works.

Another problem with treating depression with medication is that it may cover up the real problem. For example, if you recently went through a really tough divorce, medication will not solve your problems. You will need something more than this, and that is why counseling is often recommended.

Counseling seeks to find the root problem

Taking a pill each day may never be the solution for finding the real problem causing you to feel depressed, but talking about the way you feel may offer long-term answers. When you attend counseling, you will be able to talk about how you feel. Through this, your counselor will help you identify the problems in your life and find ways to make the necessary changes to avoid feeling depressed.

Everything you say during your visits will be confidential, and you probably will not personally know your counselor. Because of this, you should feel comfortable enough to open up and say your true feelings.

You should also realize that counseling is often more effective for treating depression than medications. Studies on this subject also show that people who treat depression with counseling instead of medication often have better results and a lower risk of relapsing. Most studies reveal that for counseling to be effective for treating depression, a person must attend at least 13 sessions. In other words, you cannot expect to go to a counselor once and find all the answers you are looking for.

If you are tired of feeling sad, down, and depressed, you may want to start counseling. To learn more about this, contact an anxiety and depression treatment center in your area.