Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive (say: kog-na-tiv) therapy is the process of identifying negative and damaging thoughts that can lead to low self-esteem and even depression. With the help of a trained therapist, cognitive therapy can help stop the pattern of negative thoughts and can help you fight depression.

The first time you meet with your doctor or therapist, you'll talk about any problems you've been having and how you've been feeling. You'll also talk about your goals for therapy. You and your doctor may decide to meet each week, or you may meet once a month. Your doctor will help you decide what's best for you.

While you're in therapy, you'll learn new ways to think about the situations that bother you, which can help you fight low self-esteem and depression. You'll also learn new ways to cope with your feelings. Cognitive therapy can also help with feelings of anger, anxiety, shyness or panic.

Sometimes when people feel sad, they say they are "depressed." But depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a medical illness. Someone with "major" depression has most or all of the symptoms listed in the box below nearly every day for 2 weeks or longer. There is also a "minor" form of depression (called dysthymia) where the symptoms are less severe. Dysthymia can be just as serious because it often includes short periods where the you may feel better, which could make you think there isn't a problem. Both major and minor depression have the same causes and treatment.

If you're depressed, you may also have headaches, digestive problems, other aches and pains sexual problems. An older person with depression may feel confused or have trouble understanding simple requests.

Depression can be treated with antidepressants, cognitive therapy or both. The combination of medicine with therapy helps most people, but see your doctor and he or she can help determine the best treatment for you.