Does therapy actually help depression?

[Anonymous]

I have went to therapy to help with depression and it helped me.

I have went to therapy to help with depression and it didn't do anything for me.

I have went to therapy to help with depression and it made it worse.

I know someone who went to therapy to help with depression and it helped them.

I know someone who went to therapy to help with depression and it didn't do anything for them

I know someone who went to therapy to help with depression and it made it worse.

Other/Results

[redeyemindtricks]

Step one is to think about whether depression is actually something you want to get rid of.

I know that looks stupid, on paper. But, depressive states are conducive to all kinds of wonderful things. Creativity, introspection, philosophy, personal growth, all that shit. They CAN be.

Other kinds of depressive states are toxic, to the depressed person and/or his/her loved ones. These are the ones it's actually important to try to fix.

But, really, these things are never as simple as they seem. Try taking an inventory of the things you actually GAIN from depressed states. You might be surprised how many there are. Then, if there are enough positives, think about how you might put them to work for you.

Step two is to surround yourself with people who understand your condition, and who will not constantly busy themselves offering well-meaning but ultimately misguided "help" (much like trying to move an injured person). This is probably the hardest part, especially if you are still young enough where you can't readily choose where you live, work, and hang out.

I have lots and lots of different talents, and I probably wouldn't have discovered any of them if not for my depression as a teenager. Bite THAT off and chew on it.

Oh, also, most antidepressant medications are bullshit. SSRI's are the most bullshittest bullshit. If your doc wants to put you on SSRI's, get a new doc.

The least bullshittest antidepressant med is Wellbutrin, although you gotta watch it with that one if you have issues with eating disorders.

[Thatweirdone_]

They may help to some degree but you have to accept change and that you don't want to be depressed. What Im against is the medicine bullshit they give you so that your happiness is fake thanks to them. So don't get the meds and I think just talk to someone about it. The weight will get off your shoulders and you'd feel better

[Rawrzz]

Yes. Therapy can help. But it's important that you look for different therapists. There is no one-size-fits-all in therapy. You have to find a therapist that works for you. It can take time to find a good one. But just keep looking. Eventually you will find one that will help you. Keeping an open mind is important, as well. I went to a lot of therapy when I was a teenager, and I had this stuck up attitude about it. "Fuck you, I'm not going to change just because you want me to."

And it's also important that you WANT to be helped. No one can help you if you don't want to be helped. It's like a person drowning in the ocean. Someone can reach out a hand, but if the person keeps knocking it away, no one is going to be able to save them. At least, not without force. And even then, if they are forced out of the ocean, but just jump right back in. There's not much you can do to help them.

That's the important difference. No one can *save* you. No one can live your life for you. It's you who have to make that choice to make your life better. It's you who has to work towards goals and find ways to cope with the pain you feel. It's up to you to work towards a better life.

Other people can help you and other people can hurt you. But it's ultimately up to you. But yes. Therapy can help. You just have to find the right therapist.

[Mesonfielde]

They can help, but primarily you have to change the way you think about yourself (if that is what is causing the problem).

I recommend reading through these.

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/.../infopax.cfm

[Anonymous]

I've been extremely depressed since I was abused in 2010, attempted tortured in 2013 and threatened with torture 2014. My family doesn't care.

I've seeked therapy since 2012 but am being refused every time.

[Dubhlann]

Q: How many therapists does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: One, but the lightbulb has to want to change.

[MrDetermined]

I would say no. It is something you have to overcome yourself.