Clinical depression is a mental disorder that causes an array of symptoms that can be very difficult to deal with. Left untreated, it can progress to serious mental states such as worthlessness which could result in the individual developing suicidal tendencies. Depression, like all other disorders that originate in the mind due to flawed perception can be treated with group counseling. Alcoholics’ Anonymous meetings have proven to be one of the most successful psychological remedies for alcoholics and the same principle can be applied with depression. Depression group therapy is less popular in comparison to other mental conditions that have group therapy available but it can be just as effective.
Group therapy for depression can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Depressed people often feel like they are alone with no one to aid them. They also feel like nobody understands them with originates from the withdrawal by their peers due to the psychological strain depressed people pose on their acquaintances. With depression group therapy, they will now have a select group they can meet and converse and discuss their problems with. Another reason why group therapy is an excellent form of treatment is because there may be several depressed individuals having the same mental negativity and attitude, this will help the patients identify that they are not alone and there are other people going through the very same issues.
However, there are a few considerations to deal with. This disorder can lead to the patient becoming suicidal in the worst case scenario, so the support group should be carefully chosen. It would be advisable to consult a therapist who will assign you to a group based on your symptoms and backstory. One reason why people are not enthusiastic about depression group therapy is because in some cases it can have the opposite effect. For instance, if an individual’s depression has initiated due to the negativity seen in society and the world in general, exposing them to more tragic stories and negative energy through other depressed people in the group could have the opposite effect.
While cases like these exist, in most situations, support groups for depression can be very beneficial and aid the person to handle their symptoms or even get rid of them effectively. These groups should be watched and managed closely by a professional to understand the patients better and help them improve.