Treating symptoms in depression

Treating Depression

15 Nov, 2021 Read Time: 2 mins

Treating Depression

Depression is a clinically heterogeneous disorder, and as such can be treated through several approaches.1 A range of both pharmacological and psychological therapies make up today’s clinical repertoire of antidepressant treatments, while a number of alternative medicines, activities and techniques have also been claimed to offer some relief.2,3

According to NICE clinical guidance (CG90), it is recommended that patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms should be offered either guided self-help, computerised cognitive behavioural therapy, a structured group physical activity programme, or a combination of these.4 However, for those patients who present with moderate or severe depression, a combination of both pharmacological intervention and a high-intensity psychological therapy should be prescribed.4

The research literature supports this recommendation. One meta-analysis of 19 randomised studies (figure 1) involving over 1800 patients with depression evaluated the difference in effect size between psychological therapy alone and a combination of both pharmacological and psychological treatment. It found a significant (P<0.001) difference in effect size between these two therapeutic approaches, with a combination strategy proving more efficacious.5

A number of alternative strategies have also been suggested to provide relief from depressive symptoms, including meditation, exercise, yoga, light therapy and St. John’s Wort.6-9 However, clinical research and experience focuses on psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments, and these remain the mainstay of clinical depression therapy.

Standardised difference in mean effect sizes and 95% CI of psychological treatment for depression compared to combined psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. CI, Confidence interval; PSY, Psychotherapy; COMB, Combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Adapted from Cuijpers P et al. 2009.

References

  1. Goldberg D. The heterogeneity of “major depression”. World Psychiatry 2011; 10(3): 226-228.
  2. The British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Depression: the NICE guidelines on the treatment and management of depression in adults. Updated edition. 2010.
  3. Kessler RC et al. The use of complementary and alternative therapies to treat anxiety and depression in the United States. Am J Psychiatry 2001; 158: 289-294.
  4. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2009. Depression in adults: the treatment and management of depression in adults. CG90.
  5. Cuijpers P et al. Psychotherapy versus the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of depression: a meta-analysis. Depression and anxiety 2009; 26(3): 279-288.
  6. Linde K et al. St John’s Wort for major depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008; 4. CD000448. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000448.pub3.
  7. Jorm AF et al. Relaxation for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008; 4. CD007142. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007142.pub2.
  8. Cooney GM et al. Exercise for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013; 9. CD004366. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004366.pub6.
  9. Tuunainen A et al. Light therapy for non-seasonal depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004; 2. CD004050. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004050.pub2.