Treatment for Reactive Depression

Reactive depression is also known as an adjustment disorder with a depressed mood. The diagnosis of an adjustment disorder is a last resort in the psychiatric community. If a patient can be diagnosed in another category, she will be. The term "reactive depression" is used to describe mild to moderate depression that is a direct result of a stressful event.
  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • At the base of cognitive behavioral therapy is the belief that it is not an object or event that is stressful but the patient's perception of that object or event. According to the cognitive therapy theories, it is a distortion in thoughts that cause psychological distress. The belief is that a depressed person will view stimuli, whether positive, negative or neutral, as a negative. For instance, when a depressed person is informed of an adequate review at work, he will lament the fact the review was not extraordinary and will believe his job is on the line. The goal of therapy is to untangle the distorted thought patterns allowing the patient to view stimuli more positively.

    Interpersonal Therapy

    • Reactive depression is considered a short-term disordered usually disappearing in six months or less with treatment. This is one of the reasons interpersonal therapy is an often prescribed solution. It is a short-term type of therapy. Interpersonal therapy focuses on one or two key relationship issues. For instance if reactive depression is caused by divorce, bickering among family members, the betrayal of a loved one or a number of other interpersonal conflicts, therapy targets that specific problem. Counseling focuses on understanding the problem and accepting the situation as it is.
      Reactive depression is the result of specific stressors. These can include job stress, relationships ending, the death of a loved one and many other events that cause a great deal of stress. Because the event causing the condition is apparent at the time of diagnosis, treatment often involves some resolution concerning the stressor.

    Medication

    • Anti depressants are rarely prescribed to treat mild to moderate depression such as reactive depression. The risk of chemical dependency is not often justified by mild symptoms. There are exceptions to the rule and on occasion serotonin enhancing drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft will be prescribed. Chemical treatment carries with it risks the other treatments do not. Among the list of possible side effects are nausea, dizziness, fatigue and sexual side effects.

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