Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression

CBT is a highly effective form of psychotherapy that is used worldwide in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions, including depression. It is based on the principle that depression arises and is intensified as a result of deep rooted, negative thought patterns. For example, when something negative happens in daily life, people suffering from depression will often blame themselves, whereas when something positive happens, they tell themselves that they've just been lucky. In addition, those suffering from depression have a tendency to incorrectly assume that other people are reacting negatively to them.

The purpose of CBT is to help you to think in a more balanced way and challenge any negative assumptions that you have about your life. It aims to identify and change your destructive thought patterns as well as any negative behaviour that may exacerbate your depression.

CBT has many benefits including the fact that this form of therapy aims to equip you with coping mechanisms for life, which means that you are able to recognise negative thought patterns and respond to these in a healthier way, reducing the likelihood that you will become depressed again in the future.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for depression

DBT is an effective therapeutic technique that is used in the treatment of more acute and severe forms of depression. DBT is based on the principles of CBT but has been specifically designed to help individuals who are suffering from very intense emotions. The focus of this form of therapy is on self-acceptance and change, in order to reduce your distressing emotions and return to a healthier way of life. DBT can be hugely beneficial if you are suffering from severe depression, as it teaches you skills for life in managing your emotions and resolving crises in more effective and functional ways.

1:1 therapy for depression

1:1 therapy is a widely used and highly effective therapeutic technique in the treatment of depression. This form of therapy takes place on an individual basis between yourself and the most appropriate expert for your personal requirements, allowing for a comprehensive, tailored exploration of your unique condition and concerns. This ensures that your personal needs are addressed thoroughly, in a highly supportive environment, which results in the best outcomes for you as an individual.

Group therapy for depression

As its name suggests, this form of therapy takes place as part of a wider group of patients, where you will be encouraged to share your experiences, offer mutual support and guidance, and explore your difficulties in a compassionate and therapeutic setting. Whilst the concept of group therapy may, at first, seem to be quite daunting, research suggests that it is a highly effective therapeutic technique in the treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression.

Family therapy for depression

Family therapy takes place with yourself and your immediate family unit or loved ones. This form of therapy allows you and your family to engage in an honest and open dialogue about your depression, enabling everyone to develop a mutual understanding of this complex condition, as well as the impact that the depression is having, not only on yourself, but also on those who are closest to you. This form of therapy is hugely beneficial as it allows you and your family to plan proactive steps for how you can best support each other in the long-term.

Antidepressant medication can be used alongside CBT and other forms of therapy, in order to complement the therapeutic element of depression treatment and act as an additional buffer against depression. However, for some people, antidepressant medication will be the first line of treatment for depression, especially when:

• Your depression is severe or comes and goes
• You have responded well to antidepressant medication in the past
• You have not responded well to psychotherapy in the past
• There is a history of depression in your family
• Your depression is associated with suicidal thoughts or actions

The most common antidepressant medications used in the treatment of depression are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Our specialists also use antidepressants from other classes.

Antidepressants are not addictive and most are very easy to discontinue as required. Whilst some people may experience withdrawal reactions with some antidepressant medication, this is usually not the case.

Our Priory experts are dedicated to working with you to select the most suitable antidepressant medication for your needs and circumstances. At our Harley Street Wellbeing Centre and at Priory Hospital North London, we are able to offer pharmacogenetic testing, which allows us to choose the best antidepressant for your individual needs and select the antidepressant with the least adverse effects.

Rapid acting programme in depression (RAPID) by triple chronotherapy

We are pleased to be able to offer a pioneering new treatment for depression at Priory Hospital North London, known as the rapid acting programme in depression (RAPID) by triple chronotherapy. RAPID by triple chronotherapy is a non-invasive depression treatment technique that consists of a series of distinct components: wake therapy, phased sleep advance, and bright light therapy. This treatment method has been found to lead to a rapid response in up to 50% of patients, resulting in significant improvements in their depression symptoms after only a few days. In addition, RAPID by triple chronotherapy has been found to result in fewer potential side effects than antidepressant medication.

Outpatient treatment for depression

Outpatient treatment for depression consists of patients attending one of our hospitals or centres for a set number of hourly sessions with a consultant or therapist. Outpatient therapy is hugely beneficial for individuals who do not require more intensive forms of treatment (such as day care or inpatient treatment), as it means that they can attend flexible appointments at a time and a place that is convenient for them. This form of treatment can be used as a step-down in intensity from the more rigorous day care and inpatient treatment approaches, if required.

At all of our Priory Wellbeing Centres, alongside individual therapy sessions, we are also able to offer a tailored outpatient therapy package that has been specifically designed to treat depression. In order to allow peace of mind, our therapy package offers a set amount of 1:1 therapy sessions, certainty of price for initial treatment, discounted rates and a personalised treatment plan. We are also able to offer day therapy as a step-up in intensity, from our outpatient therapy package, if required. 

Inpatient treatment for depression

Inpatient (residential) treatment for depression consists of patients staying at one of our hospitals, to undergo intensive depression treatment. This form of treatment is beneficial if you require a more structured and rigorous treatment programme for your depression, and provides you with the opportunity to spend time away from your usual living situation in order to remove any negative influences that might be contributing to your depression.

Residential treatment can, at first, seem to be a daunting prospect. However, this form of treatment can have a hugely positive impact on your quality of life and provides you with the time, care and attention that you need to fully address your depression and any associated emotional and physical issues.

Our residential treatment programmes deliver a wide range of robust and evidence-based therapies to our patients, ensuring that these are best suited to your unique requirements, and foster the best possible outcomes.

You can read more about the different treatment options that we offer at Priory, by accessing our approach to mental health treatment page.

Day care for depression

Depression treatment can also be provided on a day care basis, which consists of patients attending one of our Priory sites for a certain number of days each week and participating in depression therapy and treatment. However, these patients do not stay at the hospital, but return home following a day of therapy. Day care is beneficial to those that do not require intensive 24-hour care, as it allows patients to receive a full programme of depression treatment, whilst still having the flexibility to live at home. Day care can be used as a step-down in intensity from inpatient treatment, if required.

Depression can cause a wide range of symptoms which can vary from person to person and also depend on the type of depression that you are suffering from. Our depression symptoms page provides more detailed information on the symptoms that can be experienced. However, the most common symptoms of depression to look out for include:

• Intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed
• Anger, irritability and frustration

At Priory, our experts are not only able to treat adults with depression, but are also able to provide tailored, world class depression treatment for patients who are under the age of 18 years. More information on the mental health support that we offer for young people can be found on our young people’s services page.

What is depression?

Depression is a serious mental health condition that is characterised by individuals experiencing such intense and crushing low moods that their ability to function effectively on a daily basis is impaired. These ongoing and debilitating feelings of sadness can lead to a reduction in motivation which can have a negative impact on your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as your behaviour.

It is estimated that around 10% of men and 25% of women will develop depression at some point in their lives. However, instead of women being more prone to developing depression, this difference may be because women are more likely to seek depression help and treatment than men.

It is important to recognise that depression is an illness, not a sign of weakness; depression can affect anybody, and people can experience it at any point in their lives.

What causes depression?

As is the case for most mental health conditions, research suggests that there are a number of factors that can increase the likelihood that an individual will develop some form of depression at some point in their lives. Potential causes of depression may include:

• Being the victim of abuse and/or neglect, particularly during childhood
• Experiencing distressing life events e.g. job loss, divorce, bereavement
• Having a family history of depression or other mental health conditions
• Having a personal history of other mental health conditions
• Suffering from chronic and enduring medical conditions such as cancer
• Having certain personality traits such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical

What are the types of depression?

There are several different types of depression which are classified based on the impact that they have on individuals and the symptoms that are associated with each. These include:

• Mild depression
• Moderately severe depression
• Severe depression
• Severe depression with psychotic symptoms
• Bipolar affective disorder type 1 and type 2
• Dysthymia
• Recurrent depressive disorder

You can read more about the features and symptoms of each type of depression, on our depression symptoms page

Will I need to be admitted to hospital to receive depression treatment?

Most people can be treated for depression on an outpatient basis, which consists of them attending a number of therapy sessions at one of our specialist facilities, at a time that is convenient for them. However, some people may require more intensive depression treatment and support, within either a day care programme or as an inpatient, at least until they feel signs of improvement in their mood and condition. 

What impact will CBT have?

CBT will equip you with the skills to challenge and change the negative thought patterns that may be prolonging your depression, or making your symptoms worse, and teach you new and healthier ways of evaluating situations. CBT aims to give you skills for life, enabling lifelong recovery and reducing the likelihood of you becoming depressed again.

Will CBT work in all cases of depression?

Although CBT is likely to form the basis of a depression psychotherapy programme, other forms of therapy may also be helpful alongside CBT. For example, if you are experiencing underlying issues in addition to your depression, such as unresolved trauma following childhood abuse, or are finding it difficult to come to terms with bereavement, these issues would need to be dealt with separately, via the most appropriate therapeutic treatment.

Which antidepressant  medication will I be given?

There are many different forms of antidepressant medication which can be useful in treating depression. The most common form of antidepressant medications that are used in the treatment of depression are SSRIs. However, the choice of medication is based on a number of factors, and this will be discussed with you and your family if required, during your initial assessment.

How long do antidepressants take to work?

Antidepressants take time to have a noticeable effect, often a number of weeks. This is because they are helping nerve cells to recover and resume their usual role in regulating mood.

Are antidepressants dangerous?

You will be prescribed with the most appropriate form of antidepressant medication for your unique condition and circumstances, and these medications are not dangerous, as long as you take them as they have been prescribed. Antidepressants are not addictive, and have been found to be highly effective in relieving the symptoms of depression.