Counselling or Medication for Depression?
Severe depression is difficult to overcome, let alone treat. Some Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) methods are designed to treat depression, but I know from watching a close friend slide into severe depression that medication is also an important part of treatment. The intelligent, high functioning person I am thinking of is very cognizant of the causes of her depression and keen to overcome it with the help of a therapist. She was, however, helpless in the face of her debilitating symptoms: lack of motivation, apathy and loss of concentration, until her psychiatrist put her on medication. It has been found that some antidepressants are more effective than others, depending on the individual patient, but it seems that a combination of two or more medications and/or a combination of medications with CBT is better for severe depression than a single medication or CBT alone (Sonawalla, Fava. 2012).
I'm currently going through counselling and with my soon diagnosis we ( me and my counsellor )are trying to decide if I should stay under her as cognitive behaviour therapy or swap to long term illness therapy to assist along side the medication route in an attempt to reduce my severe depression and anxiety.
I very much agree Heidi again salient points - mental health struggles are another unseen, underfunded and indeed invisible battle to the untrained eye. CBT has worked wonders in this area but as you rightfully suggest is not always enough or accessible to those badly afflicted and this point has been highlighted throughout the pandemic and not only for those with long term health conditions again of which the pandemic has increased numbers sadly thank you for your thoughts your posts are always appreciated, your knowledge truly welcomed and may the right individuals be supported by your posts to take those courageous steps.