Trauma or Depression Treatment?
Mental health symptoms can be complex and intertwined, making it challenging to determine the best course of treatment. At Virtual CBT, we like to set people up for success and choose the course of treatment that will bring you the most amount of relief in the shortest amount of time.
Trauma (or PTSD) and depression are two conditions that often overlap, leading to confusion about which type of therapy to pursue. While there are some similarities between these two conditions, there are also significant differences that require tailored treatment approaches.
Trauma is a response to a distressing or life-threatening event that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. The experience can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In contrast, depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Depression can be triggered by various factors, including genetic, environmental, and psychological.
It can be really helpful to distinguish between the two conditions before selecting a treatment plan. While there are some similarities, treating trauma and depression requires different therapeutic approaches. If you're struggling with both conditions, it's best to find a therapist with experience treating both and who can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. At Virtual CBT not only are we Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) specialists, but we also specialize and are trained in various trauma approaches including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE).
These treatments aim to help individuals process traumatic experiences, learn coping skills, and address the underlying emotions and beliefs that may be causing ongoing symptoms.
Depression treatment may involve various therapies, including medication, talk therapy, or a combination of both. Talk therapy, such as CBT or interpersonal therapy, can help individuals identify negative thinking patterns, set achievable goals, and develop healthy coping skills.
It's worth noting that trauma can lead to depression, and those who experience trauma may also struggle with depression. In such cases, a therapist may need to treat both conditions simultaneously. Some therapies, such as EMDR, can help address both trauma and depression symptoms. Additionally, medications prescribed for depression can also help alleviate symptoms related to trauma.
Other factors to consider can be a commitment to treatment. Trauma treatment can be considered fairly intensive and prescriptive (best to keep to a certain dosage).
Cognitive Processing Therapy - this dosage typically includes weekly or twice weekly 50-minute sessions, and daily tracking of your mood and thinking patterns - so commitment to complete worksheets is a requirement.
Prolonged exposure is weekly 80-minute sessions. In this treatment, you are exposing yourself to a difficult memory, as well as certain things you may have been avoiding as a result of the trauma. This treatment requires a commitment to the assigned activities.
Depression treatment can be more flexible, but to see progress with an evidence-based model like CBT, it is still recommended to attend weekly (or twice weekly) 50-minute sessions and complete the in-between session practice.
The decision to pursue trauma or depression treatment ultimately depends on the specific symptoms and circumstances an individual is experiencing. Still, it's important to work with a qualified therapist who can help assess the situation and develop a tailored treatment plan.
Within the framework of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, individuals can find relief from trauma, PTSD and depression and regain control over their mental health!
The following scales are typically used to measure trauma or depression symptoms:
*Please note, that these scales do not communicate a diagnosis and are simply for measuring symptoms that may be related.
Related blog posts:
How do I know if I need therapy for a past trauma?
Behavioural Activation for Depression
Information about CBT: