Munur á meðferðarárangri einstaklinga með þunglyndi og kvíðatengt þunglyndi

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an unspecific cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for adults suffering from depression and anxious depression About half of those who suffer from depression suffer from depression with anxiety symptoms. Anxious depression is defined as depression with anxiety symptoms. Research on the effectiveness of medication for this group of patients suggest that those who suffer from anxious depression respond worse to medication and after a longer period than those who only suffer from depression. Little is known about the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy of patients suffering from anxious depression in comparison to those who suffer from depression only, but it has proved to be effective with depression. The participants were 413 patients referred by GPs to cognitive behavioural group therapy. Females were 83% of the participants. Psychological tests were administered before therapy, during therapy and when it finished. The therapy was equally effective for both groups. The study reveals that an unspecific cognitive behavioural group therapy is effective, both for patients suffering from anxious depression and depression without anxiety symptoms. This is important in view of the fact that medication of patients with anxious depression has not been as effective as medication for patients only suffering from depression.