Depression Treatment

Depression is a mood disorder that causes low mood. It differs, however, from the sadness we all experience from time-to-time. Depression is a lasting sadness that often leads to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness and a loss of interest in activities, among other troubling symptoms.

In any given year, approximately 4.7% of Canadians over the age of 14 experience symptoms that meet the criteria for major depression. Several less severe forms of depression are also common.

Depression can range from mild to severe and cause cognitive dysfunction, health problems, relationship issues, social isolation, substance abuse, and disability. It can also lead to self-harm or suicide.

At our depression treatment center, your results-oriented therapist will help you resolve your depression. Through treatment, you’ll also develop better coping skills so you can experience the joy and happiness you deserve.

The first criteria for a diagnosis of depression is a low mood and/or lack of interest and pleasure in things that you usually enjoy, lasting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, despair, emptiness, irritability, frustration, or anger. Also, crying spells, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep patterns,

difficulty concentrating, unexplained physical pain, ruminations about death, or suicidal thoughts may be indicators.

Depression is caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Your lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills matter just as much, if not more so than genetics. Risk factors that make you more vulnerable to depression include loneliness and isolation, lack of social support, recent stressful life experiences, family history of depression, marital or relationship problems, financial strain, early childhood trauma or abuse, physical or emotional abuse, alcohol or drug abuse, unemployment or underemployment, health problems, major illness or chronic pain, the loss or death of a loved one, or genetic predisposition.

Your depression treatment in Toronto at our clinic will help you get to the root of your depression. This will help guide your experienced therapist in creating the best treatment approach for you.

During your initial appointment, your therapist will do a depression screening. This will include questions about your symptoms, how long they’ve persisted, and any recent significant events in your life or trauma you’ve experienced. Your psychotherapist will also ask about your medical history and details about your family, such as any history of depression, mental illness, and drug abuse.

The therapists at our depression treatment center use evidence-based psychotherapeutic methods. Your multi-disciplinary therapist will take an individualized approach to your treatment by taking into account the type and severity of your depression, its causes, and other factors. Your depression treatment in Toronto at The Clinic may include cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, or psychodynamic therapy.

For some clients, an antidepressant may be helpful in conjunction with psychotherapy. Your therapist will encourage you to see your family physician to discuss medication management.

Depression counselling can last several weeks or longer. The length of depression treatment varies based on many factors, including the type and severity of depression, its cause, and a client’s responsiveness to treatment.

Kids often exhibit depression differently than adults. So parents may not always recognize it. Instead of expressing sadness, kids often exhibit agitation, irritability, school refusal, or anger. They may also complain of headaches, stomach aches, or other pain. Kids can, however, experience the same symptoms as adults.

Depression counselling for children and teens is similar to that in adults. Your child’s therapist may use a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, or family therapy.