[Psychological treatment of depression]

Abstract

Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy, and probably also behavioural activation therapy have been found to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression (scores on Hamilton Depression Scale < or = about 25) with outcomes comparable to antidepressant medication. There is evidence that CBT has some durable effects after discontinuation of treatment. Newer evidence suggests that for chronic or complicated cases of unipolar depression combined treatment with psychotherapy and medication achieves somewhat better results than monotherapy. In bipolar disorder psychotherapy with a psycho-educative focus might reduce relapse when combined with mood-stabilizing medication.