Categories: CBT, Depression/Hopelessness

As we approach summer here in Southern California, we are aware that many of our friends and colleagues in the Southern Hemisphere are heading into their winter season. This article is a timely reminder that the things we can change such as our thoughts and our behavior, are so powerful that they can actually override the things we cannot change, such as how much sunlight we have each day. 

While light therapy has been shown to be highly effective in treating a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it only helps about half of the people in subsequent winters. What can give long lasting relief? Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tailored for seasonal affective disorder. Why? Simply put, light therapy works only as long as you are using it. But CBT teaches skills that are useful forever.

[READ WASHINGTON POST] This winter depression treatment lasts longer than sitting under a bright light. 

[READ THE ATLANTIC]Therapy Over Lamps for Seasonal Depression: Cognitive behavioral therapy gives longer-term benefits and is less of a time burden than sitting under a light for 30 minutes a day.

[READ MEDICAL NEWS TODAY] Beating the winter blues with cognitive behavioral therapy.

[READ THE RESEARCH ARTICLE] If you are interested, here is the American Journal of Psychiatry article that discuss these very important research findings

Photo credits: winter.depression by Gerald Gabernlg is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Categories: Depression/Hopelessness

August 5, 1020 (Oprah.com) - Dr. Robert Leahy, Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in New York City, offers 5 things to do right now that can help you find a way out

[READ THE ARTICLE] How to overcome your feelings of hopelessness

Laurie's depression started when his son died and eventually meant he had to resign from his job. CBT helped him to cope with day-to-day life.

YouTube video no longer available. We are looking for the new link and will post it as soon as it becomes available. Thank you for understanding that things on the web move and change often.

​Run time 3:20
by NHS Choices Media Library / YouTube (original video date 06/30/08) 

Categories: Depression/Hopelessness

Categories: Depression/Hopelessness

Categories: CBT, Depression/Hopelessness

From the WebMD archives article date May 22, 2000):

Cognitive therapy has become the fastest growing, most extensively studied form of therapy in the United States -- the new century's treatment of choice for everything from depression to substance abuse. Pick up a health magazine or turn on the radio, and you'll likely hear about some new study in which cognitive therapy helped patients just as well -- or even better -- than drugs did. Even the insurance companies love this "therapy du jour," for an understandable reason: It usually takes just 10 or 12 sessions to see results ....

[READ THE FULL ARTICLE]  Do your thoughts drag you down? Cognitive therapists say yes. Are they onto something?