Depressed or Anxious? Here’s Why You Should Try Therapy First
Depressed? Anxious? Why You Should Try Therapy First
Depression and anxiety affect millions of people around the world, profoundly impacting their emotional well-being, daily functioning, and quality of life. Suffering from a mood disorder, many people immediately consider medication as a quick solution. However, therapy should be seriously considered as a first step before starting medication due to its unique benefits that address root causes and support long-term recovery.
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, focusses on understanding and resolving the issues which underlie the depressed or anxious mood. While medication targets chemical imbalances in the brain, therapy helps individuals develop insight into their thoughts, emotions and behaviors. This process is empowering, and can lead to identifying harmful patterns and enhancing healthy coping skills, creating a sustainable foundation for mental wellness.
One important advantage of therapy is its personalized approach. Your therapist will work with you to tailor an approach to your needs and strengths. A good therapist will draw from a variety of therapeutic styles, as they discover which seems to work best for you. For instance, CBT can alleviate negative thought patterns and behaviors, addressing feelings of fear, helplessness or hopelessness; while interpersonal therapy emphasizes improving relationships and communication, often disrupted by anxiety or depression. This customization often leads to deeper, more lasting improvements than medication alone.
Therapy is a proactive approach to mental health which leaves the client feeling more in control and better equipped to handle future challenges. Medication may take the edge off, but it will not teach you coping skills, stress management or problem solving; nor will it help you learn better ways of dealing with that cranky boss or meddling in-law.
In addition to addressing the psychological and emotional aspects of depression and anxiety, a healthy therapeutic relationship will offer a safe space to express thoughts and feelings without judgment, fostering trust and reducing isolation. Having become increasingly cut off from others due to the lack of motivation and loss of enjoyment in social activities so typical of mood disorders, simply being heard and validated in therapy can be powerful and healing.
