Antidepressant treatment, not depression, leads to reductions in behavioral responses to pain empathy…
Depression is a medical condition comprising of a prominent and persistent period of depressed mood and/or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities that predominates the clinical […]
Culturally Adapted Therapy for Muslim Clients with Depression…
In recognition of the need for culturally adapted therapies, researchers (Mir, Ghani, Meer and Hussain, 2018), have developed and adapted therapy for Muslim clients, based on behavioural activation, an existing […]
Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment Resistant Patients…
The presented paper concerns the pharmacological treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It especially focuses on what to do when patients do not respond to a standard dose of an […]
Brain Stimulation for Depressive Symptoms…
A new research study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco has found patients with moderate to severe depression reported significant improvements in mood when researchers precisely stimulated […]
Three Shades of Depression…
Researchers from the Neural Computational Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University in collaboration with their colleagues at Nara Institute of Science and Technology and clinicians […]
Cognitive psycho-educational group therapy intervention found to lower relapse rate in depression…
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, has found patients hospitalized with major depressive disorder who participated in a short-term psycho-educational program with cognitive behavioral group therapy in addition to normal inpatient […]
Early-life exposure to severe famine found to be related to subsequent risk of depressive symptoms in late adulthood…
A research study from the University of Georgia has revealed that exposure to famine during specific moments in early life is associated with depression later in life. The study with […]
ELK-1 as a specific signalling module in depression…
In a study published by the Nature Medicine (link below), a team of scientists at McGill University and France’s Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) […]
Behavioral Activation found to benefit during TMS for Major Depressive Disorder
The integration of behavioral activation therapy (a form of psychotherapy that supports environmental positive reinforcement for individuals through goal setting and the scheduling of positive reinforcement between-session activities) into Transcranial […]
Cognitive dysfunction predictors of depression after first-episode…
Recent research suggests patients suffering from depression should also receive cognitive testing as cognitive impairments were associated with the severity of depressive symptoms. The study found that impairments in executive functioning and language […]
The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 in major depressive disorder: a twelve-week treatment with duloxetine..
Evidence has indicated elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment response, but the nature of this association remains unclear. A sample of 32 […]
Study shows 1 in 3 of those diagnosed with depression commence treatment…
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine highlights that only about 1 in 3 individuals newly diagnosed with depression actually commence treatment. The study has found, of more […]
How much psychotherapy is needed to treat depression?
Research suggests that psychotherapy can be effective in the treatment of adult depression but it is not clear how this treatment effect is related to amount, frequency and intensity of therapy. […]
Tailoring Positive Psychology Interventions to Treat Depression….
Positive psychology is focused on the prevention of mental health disorders, promotion of mental health, and treatment of distress via positive psychology interventions (PPIs). Effective in generating positive affect and […]
Mindfulness…
An interesting article exploring how mindfulness meditation may help alleviate depression and possibly anxiety. Before you have a read of the article, remember mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying […]
Potentially new antidepressant treatment…
Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a potential new antidepressant and antianxiety treatment with a unique mechanism of action. The newly developed compound, known as BU10119, works in a different […]
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy versus Psychodynamic Therapy for major depression….
Research posted on the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology has highlighted evidence to support the efficaciousness of psychodynamic psychotherapy as an evidence-based intervention. The randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of cognitive–behavioral […]
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Medication found to have the same efficacy for treating Depression…
The results from a systematic review of the literature to compare and provide clinical recommendations on the comparative effectiveness of treatment with second-generation antidepressants (SGAs) versus nonpharmacologic treatment for major depressive […]
Efficacy and safety of SSRI’s, SNRI’s, and Placebo’s for common psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents…
A meta-analysis – a review of previous research – by psychologists from the University of Basel in collaboration with the Harvard Medical School and the American National Institute of Mental Health has compiled […]
Indoor rock climbing (bouldering) as a new treatment for depression…
Depression is one of the most common mental health barriers in the world. An abundance volume of literature regards physical activity as an important part of the therapeutic intervention. Rock climbing or bouldering (rock climbing to moderate height without […]
The PHQ-9…
Whilst considerable attention has focused on improving the detection of depression, assessment of its severity is also important in guiding treatment decisions. The PHQ-9 screens specifically for signs or symptoms […]
Randomized controlled trial of long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression…
The presented randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness of long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy (LTPP) as an adjunct to treatment-as-usual according to UK national guidelines (TAU), compared to TAU alone, in patients with […]
Efficacy and Safety of SSRI’s, SNRI’s, and Placebo for Common Psychiatric Disorders Among Children and Adolescents
Although research has proven the clinical efficacy of antidepressants in children and adolescents, it has also frequently reported the side effects. What is more, the influence of the placebo effect on the efficacy of antidepressants is unclear. […]
The effects of improving sleep on mental health…
A type of cognitive behavioural therapy available online (known as Sleepio) intended to restore healthy sleep patterns in people with insomnia, has been tested to see if it could also relieve a range of […]
Medication vs. Transcranial Stimulation (tDCS) for Depression
A new study from Brazil has compared the benefit of medicinal therapy against low-intensity electrical brain stimulation for relief of depression. Researchers attempted to determine if transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a […]
Did You Know… #24
Eating high levels of sugar has been associated with mental health illness such as depression. A recent study (July 2017) of over 8,000 adults aged 35 to 55 (in London) found […]
The Neurobiology of Depression
Considering depressive disorder is a long term, relapsing condition associated with high levels of disability and mortality, this paper examines the neurobiological basis and the association with functional and structural […]
Depression: How effective are antidepressants?
Like psychological approaches, antidepressants are a key part of treating depression. They aim to relieve symptoms and prevent depression from coming back. Opinions vary on how effective antidepressants are […]
Book Recommendations for Depression…
Widely read books which facilitate the understanding of depression: I HAD A BLACK DOG, MATTHEW JOHNSTONE SHOOT THE DAMN DOG: A MEMOIR OF DEPRESSION, SALLY BRAMPTON REASONS TO STAY ALIVE, MATT HAIG […]
A Psychological Understanding of Depression
A short chapter discussing the psychological understanding of depression, and what keeps the problem going. Link to chapter: The Psychological Understanding of Depression
The use of Computer and Mobile Technologies in the Treatment of Depression
There is a growing emphasis on the use of computer and mobile technological solutions(including computerised cognitive-behavior therapy, web-based self-help, mobile applications, amongst others) for the delivery of therapies to treat individuals with depression and major depressive disorder. This […]
Exercise for Depression
Cooney, G. M et al. (2013) BACKGROUND: Depression is a common and important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Depression is commonly treated with antidepressants and/or psychological therapy, but some […]
A Dose-Ranging Study of the Effects of Ethyl-Eicosapentaenoate in Patients With Ongoing Depression Despite Apparently Adequate Treatment With Standard Drugs
Research has found low blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid in depressed patients. The researchers tested the antidepressive effect of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in 70 patients with persistent depression despite ongoing treatment with an […]
Stuck in a rut: rethinking depression and its treatment..
Despite decades of research, the neurobiology of major depressive disorder is largely unknown, and treatments are no more effective today than they were 50-70 years ago. The researchers propose that […]
A ‘return-to-work’ agenda fitting within the theory and practice of CBT for depression and anxiety disorders?
There remains relatively little research conducted to date into whether, or how, cognitive behavioural interventions can help individuals return to work. The presented paper reviews literature and research into CBT and […]
