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Talk Therapy For Depression Or Bipolar Disorder ( Manic Depression )

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Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) can be an important part of treatment for depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression). A good therapist can help you cope with feelings and symptoms, and change behavior patterns that may contribute to your illness.

Talk therapy is not just “talking about your problems”; it is also working toward solutions. Some therapy may involve homework, such as tracking your moods, writing about your thoughts, or participating in social activities that have caused anxiety in the past. You might be encouraged to look at things in a different way or learn new ways to react to events or people.

Most of today’s psychotherapy is brief and focused on your current thoughts, feelings and life issues. Focusing on the past can help explain things in your life, but focusing on the present can help you cope with the present and prepare for the future. You might see your therapist more often at the beginning of treatment, and later, as you learn to manage problems and avoid triggers, you might go to psychotherapy appointments less often.

Psychotherapy can help you: Understand your illness; define and reach wellness goals; overcome fears or insecurities; cope with stress; make sense of past traumatic experiences; separate your true personality from the mood swings caused by your illness; identify triggers that may worsen your symptoms; improve relationships with family and friends; establish a stable, dependable routine; develop a plan for

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