What does psychotherapy for depression include?

Generally, depression is a mental disorder characterized primarily by persistent low mood, accompanied by various symptoms such as loss of interest, self-reproach, feelings of guilt, and sleep disturbances. Psychological treatments for depression include cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive psychotherapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps patients identify and correct distorted thinking patterns, thereby improving coping abilities, alleviating symptoms, and reducing the risk of relapse. Typically provided by professionals such as clinical psychologists or psychiatrists, this therapy involves a series of face-to-face sessions in which individuals learn to identify and change negative thought patterns. It helps correct cognitive distortions related to depression, reduces the impact of automatic negative thoughts, and thus alleviates symptoms of low mood.

2. Supportive Psychotherapy

This approach helps patients correctly understand and cope with their illness through listening, reassurance, explanation, and encouragement, enabling them to actively cooperate with treatment. Usually conducted by physicians or other healthcare professionals, it is applicable to all patients with depressive disorders and can be used in combination with other treatment modalities.

3. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT identifies triggers of depression, such as interpersonal loss, deficits in social skills, and role conflicts. It links emotional symptoms with interpersonal functioning and aims to reduce depressive symptoms and improve social adaptation through appropriate adjustments and improvements in interpersonal relationships.

4. Psychodynamic Therapy

This therapy encourages patients to engage in free association and open discussion to uncover clues and underlying issues. Focusing on conflict areas identified by the patient, it promotes self-awareness and insight while helping individuals develop new ways of thinking or emotional expression. With minimal guidance from the therapist, this approach identifies clues and problems through specific examples discussed during sessions.

5. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Combining mindfulness meditation with cognitive techniques, MBCT guides patients to focus on the present moment, reducing rumination on past negative events or future anxieties. Through repeated practice of non-judgmental acceptance, this therapy helps patients break free from the vicious cycle of negative emotions and thoughts. It is particularly effective in preventing relapse and is well-suited for patients in remission.

In daily life, individuals with depression should be given full understanding, care, and companionship. They should be encouraged to actively participate in treatment and engage in appropriate activities, while being supported by a warm and stable living environment.