Patients of depression have no lust for sitting and enumerate childhood stress until they feel better. Intake of antidepressant drugs can help such patients for short while. Other best alternative is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that involves many related talk therapy techniques which offer hope for depression patients. Studies have suggested it as fast, effective and lasting treatment because in many cases depression is caused due to negative ways of thinking about oneself and the world.
Goal of CBT : The main goal of this therapy is to teach patient to emerge from harmful pattern of thinking. He can do so by recognizing thought which are negative and substitute them with positive thoughts. Many trials of study have shown sudden benefits through single session or through two sessions. Through session of CBT patient starts to realize that negative thinking is responsible for their depression.
How CBT works : CBT is different from traditional therapy of talking because CBT involves average of 16 session and the length of treatment is determined in the beginning of the treatment. Each session of CBT involves lesson plan that includes set of specific techniques and goals for patient to learn. CBT makes patient to identify the negative thought that trigger his depression and to find alternative substitute.
How effective CBT is : CBT is as effective as antidepressants for patients suffering from major depression. CBT has also shown effective results in disorders of moods and anxiety. Moreover the most positive point about CBT is that it is more effective than medicines in long run.
Above all patients who have been treated through CBT are very less likely to take antidepressants after completing the treatment.