Shay,

Altered views of reality are *very* common for both depression and also for several personality disorders. I think a lot of times, it develops as a protection mechanism. We develop this facade to mask whatever in our life is too much for us to handle, and our brains just alter anything that might damage that facade. And then, there's the negative self-talk that comes with depression, "I'm worthless," "I'm unloveable," etc. All of those thoughts are distorting reality as well.

A good therapist will really dig around and get at the truth of things. For instance, if she has an anger control problem, that is a hard thing to hide, and a good therapist will know that there's no way everyone in her life is constantly doing things to her that are awful enough for her to react with such a high level of anger.

You know, I have found that in my group therapy, that kind of altering reality never flies...maybe it's that "it takes one to know one," but someone else in group *always* spots it when one person is trying to paint over the facts to make themselves look better. So maybe, if it seems like she is not getting much out of individual therapy, you might look into group therapy.

mj