Depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders, and millions of individuals suffer from depression or the symptoms of clinical depression. Many psychologists and psychotherapists will tell you that there is no way to cure depression. There are some treatments that can be effective against depression, and even some natural remedies such as St. John's wort that have shown some efficacy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. On the other hand if you are a person who is suffering from depression, or anxiety and depression together, then you are probably not looking for something that can possibly offer a small chance of relief. You are much more likely to be looking for a way to beat depression for good, and hopefully very quickly.
it is possible for psychotherapists to help their patients be free from depression, and it is my contention that helping patients to make the necessary changes in their way of life in order to alleviate their mental health problems for good is every therapist responsibility. People have a right to feel content and well-adjusted to the extent that they want to. Now that is not to say that everyone should feel perfectly happy all the time. That simply isn't a realistic goal, and it may not even be desirable. There are certain good things that come from feeling bad sometimes, such as the desire to overcome adversity and to make the world a better place.
However, that is generally not what clinical depression does. Major depressive disorder can be absolutely debilitating they can prevent a person from living their life and interacting with their society into meaningful way. But this brings up the obvious question: when a person is clearly suffering from a major depressive episode, and they are in dire need of fast, effective, and permanent relief, how is a psychotherapist to cure their depression once and for all?
There are many different theories on this corresponding to the different theories of psychotherapy and of change. Generally a psychotherapists opinion of how to cure depression will depend on what they think the causes of depression are. But in fact in most cases it is not necessary to fully understand the internal representations, metaphors, and myths that are at play in a specific case of depression in order to develop an effective cure. The way to develop a customized treatment for depression is to observe and interrupt the actual manifestation of the depression and anxiety symptoms at both a concrete and metaphorical level.
Chicago Psychology is a community site where mental health professionals share their insights. If you are seeking psychotherapy or counseling in Chicago, you can get help right away by calling 312-869-2323.