The efficacy of psychotherapy in non-bipolar depression: a review

Abstract

A review of efficacy studies on psychotherapy of depression is made. Based on the available literature, there is evidence of effectiveness of cognitive and interpersonal therapy in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. To a lesser degree, the effect of psychoanalytically oriented and behavioural therapy has been documented. The effectiveness of psychotherapy among in-patients and patients with severe depression has not been documented. No studies have documented a preventive effect of psychotherapy on future recurrent depressive episodes. In recurrently depressive patients who respond to a combination of imipramine and interpersonal psychotherapy, maintenance treatment with interpersonal psychotherapy may prevent new episodes, but not as effectively as maintenance therapy with imipramine.