How to Treat Depression Through Acceptance Therapy

Experiencing depression is hard. It can often feel as though life is hopeless and there is nowhere to turn. You also may find your depression lowers your self-esteem. Despair and depression may go together, but both can be conquered through acceptance therapy. 

A few types of therapies can combat depressive disorders. However, there is one that can help raise your self-esteem and lower your feelings of depression. This type of therapy is acceptance therapy. It is also known as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 

Acceptance therapy has been known to help treat depressive disorders and other mental health conditions without the use of medication. However, it can also work in tandem with medication. Programs — like the one offered at Alter Wellness Care — can go a long way in treating your mental health.

What Is Acceptance Therapy?

Defined by the National Library of Medicine, acceptance therapy “is a modern form of cognitive behavioral therapy based on a distinct philosophy and basic science of cognition.”

Acceptance therapy goes to the heart of your situation and helps you define what matters to you. It also helps you identify what you stand for and your beliefs. As well as the kind of relationships you would like to see in your life. Your job when going into acceptance therapy is to identify what you want from your life, then work on action steps to achieve those goals.

This kind of therapy isn’t a traditional form of psychotherapy. Rather, it stems from traditional talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Action-based acceptance therapy allows you to take back control and accept your emotions for what they are. 

Taking back control over your deepest and most troubling emotions and turning them into positive action steps can help you achieve your goals. The first step is accepting that your emotions are a part of who you are. 

Instead of being ashamed of how you feel, you can learn to embrace your emotions through proper functioning and care. This form of therapy is based on goal-oriented therapy. It allows you to identify what you want in life and how you can achieve it.

How Can Acceptance Therapy Help Treat Depression?

To identify how acceptance therapy can help treat depression, it is first important to understand a bit more about depressive disorders.

Having depression or a depressive disorder means that you are experiencing symptoms that affect your daily life and activities. This could include sleep, work, school, concentration, and other cognitive functions. To be diagnosed with depression, you must be experiencing at least one of the following symptoms for more than two weeks:

• Persistent sadness or feeling “empty”
• Decreased sadness, fatigue, and feeling unable to do things in a timely manner or slowing down
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in your appetite or unplanned weight loss or weight gain
• Thoughts of suicide or feeling as though you’d be better off dead
• Aches and pains like headaches that have no clear physical cause

These are just some of the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression. It is vital to talk to your doctor or psychiatrist. Being left in the dark about what type of mental health condition you may have can leave you feeling even worse. Talking to a proper medical professional about your symptoms is the first step in getting diagnosed and treated properly.

When diagnosed with depression, knowing which kind of therapy will work best for your situation may be challenging. Every person who experiences depression will need individualized care. Don’t be afraid to speak up to your doctor about what is working in your treatment plan and what is not. 

Treating Depression Through Acceptance Therapy

When treating depression through acceptance therapy, it is important to recognize that your emotions are unique to you. By setting goals and expectations that you can achieve, you will be able to manage your depression symptoms. Here are some ways you can do this through acceptance therapy:

Relationship Building

Sometimes having a severe depressive disorder can stem from not having the proper relationships you need in life to thrive. Acceptance therapy helps you to identify your ideal relationships. It can also teach you how to build them through a step-by-step process that doesn’t place expectations on anyone.

Mindfulness

Bringing enrichment to your life takes time. Being mindful and staying in the present moment can help you avoid troublesome thoughts about the past. It can also help you avoid worries about the future. Acceptance therapy keeps you committed and focused on what you would like to learn and achieve in the present.

Transformation

By accepting who you are and identifying your beliefs, you can transform your fears into something better. This therapy can help you transform your deep and worrisome emotions into positive thoughts and behaviors that can help you achieve your goals and overcome your severe symptoms.

Acceptance therapy may not be for everyone. However, it has been shown over the past few years to effectively treat depression for those who may need something after CBT. If you are unsure if acceptance therapy will work for you, talk to your doctor or therapist. They will help get you on the right path to accepting who you are and how you can achieve a more fulfilling and happier life! 

If you are experiencing major depressive disorder and are ready to receive help, we are here for you. Our outpatient programs at Alter Wellness Care offer you a complex and individualized treatment program that will work best for your situation. We offer acceptance therapy along with traditional and cognitive-behavioral therapy. We want to assist you in the best way we can. Reaching out to get help can be a scary step. Our doctors and professional staff are trained to handle any mental health situation. We are here to help you overcome your most severe symptoms. Reach out to Alter Wellness Care at (866) 311-3510 to learn more about our programs. We are here for you with hope.