Does therapy/counseling really help depression?

Depression can be understood in terms of it being the emotional response to thinking unpleasant thoughts. People who are depressed think of things that make them unhappy. Sometimes this is entirely reasonable for example in the case of bereavement, life struggles or the breakdown of an important relationship. At other times the thoughts that drive low mood are not helpful or accurate.

It is important to know which thoughts cause the unhappiness and if they are an accurate reflection of the situation. How then can we find out how accurate our thoughts are? A good start is to think in specific terms about the evidence that supports a thought or belief. If there is no evidence, what else could to be true? If there is no evidence to support a thought that prompts sadness it is possible that there are thinking errors in thinking habits. In depression, black and white thinking, emotional reasoning, predicting, catastrophising and mind reading are common. Low self-esteem and poor self-confidence can also influence mood.

Another consideration is state dependant memory, which is the mind's tendency to recall things from a similar state. Therefore, when we're happy we are more likely to think of happy things and when we're sad we're more likely to remember occasions when we were sad.

It is important to make the real, practical, changes where possible. When change is not possible, do not attribute the problem to a personality flaw. Be objective and connect cause and effect without inappropriate blame. Remember that, while depressed, there is a tendency to be self-critical. Though it is very difficult to stop unpleasant and unhelpful thoughts altogether, it is possible to correct them with more helpful ones. When people become depressed they may stop doing the things that make us all happy and well.

Even at times when motivation is poor it is important to eat well ,sleep well, exercise and maintain positive friendships.

I have to go to therapy for my depression. It can help do to them taking down information on which you give them, and they do their best with sorting out medication that could help which is why normally you also have a psychiatrist. The medication is a roller coaster ride believe me. But if you can get your depression sorted out, it's better to deal with and get through that.

counseling does help alot i went throu depression once in my life and when i went it wasent too long untill i got over it so y advice its to go to therapy

hope you get over your depression if it help think about all the things you love in life and maby that will help