How to provide psychological counseling for depression

Depression can be psychologically alleviated through psychological counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness training, social support interventions, medication therapy, and other methods. Depression may be related to genetic factors, environmental stress, neurotransmitter imbalances, traumatic experiences, chronic diseases, and other factors. It usually manifests as symptoms such as low mood, decreased interest, sleep disorders, changes in appetite, and self denial.

1. Psychological Counseling

Psychological counseling is the basic way of depression psychological counseling, which helps patients identify negative thinking patterns through the guidance of professional psychologists or counselors. Psychological counseling can use humanistic therapy or psychoanalytic therapy to intervene in childhood trauma or interpersonal conflicts. Patients need to have 4-12 regular consultations and cooperate in completing homework such as emotional diaries. Psychological counseling has a significant effect on mild to moderate depression and can improve patients' self-awareness bias.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy alleviates depressive symptoms by changing negative cognition, and the treatment period is usually 8-20 weeks. This method helps patients identify automated negative thinking, validate cognitive biases through behavioral experiments, and gradually establish adaptive behavior patterns. Common techniques include mind sheets, activity scheduling, graded task training, etc. Cognitive behavioral therapy is particularly suitable for depressed patients with accompanying anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as it can reduce the probability of symptom recurrence.

3. Mindfulness Training

Mindfulness training regulates emotions by focusing on current experiences, including techniques such as mindfulness breathing and body scanning. Practicing for 20-40 minutes daily can reduce excessive activation of the amygdala and increase the prefrontal cortex's ability to regulate emotions. Research shows that continuous mindfulness training for 8 weeks can improve rumination in depressed patients, and the effect is even better when combined with cognitive therapy. Suitable for depression induced by stress or chronic pain, but for severe depression, other treatments should be combined.

4. Social Support Intervention

Establishing a stable social support network is crucial for depression rehabilitation, including forms such as family therapy and group psychological counseling. Family members need to learn non critical listening skills to avoid ineffective comfort or excessive protection. Participating in a depression rehabilitation group can reduce feelings of shame and gain coping experience through peer support. Social support can buffer the impact of stress events, but individual psychological therapy is necessary for patients with social anxiety depression.

5. Medication therapy

Medication therapy is suitable for individuals with moderate to severe depression or suicidal tendencies and should be used under the guidance of a psychiatrist. Commonly used drugs include fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules, escitalopram oxalate tablets, paroxetine hydrochloride tablets, and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The medication takes 2-4 weeks to take effect, and during the treatment period, the efficacy and adverse reactions should be regularly evaluated. Drug therapy should be combined with psychological therapy, as sudden cessation of medication may lead to withdrawal symptoms. Depressed patients should maintain a regular daily routine and engage in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise such as brisk walking or swimming. Exercise can promote the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Diet should increase intake of deep-sea fish, walnuts, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while reducing refined sugar intake. Establish a stable sleep rhythm and avoid using electronic devices at night. Family members should pay attention to observing suicide risk signals, such as discussing death or distributing personal belongings, and seek medical attention promptly. During the process of psychological counseling, it is important to avoid urging patients to pick themselves up or deny their painful experiences, and to provide sufficient emotional acceptance.