New report shows therapy as effective as drugs for depression

In a surprising report from the University of Pennsylvania, researchers are suggesting that, contrary to current American Psychiatric Association (APA) guidelines, psychological therapy and counselling can be just as effective as drugs in the early stages of treating moderate to severe depression.

At present the APA holds the view that the majority of patients suffering the early stages of depression will need medication.

This new report says their findings contradict current practice in the United States and does not support that view.

The study examined 240 patients who were moderately to severely depressed and in weekly and sometimes twice-weekly 50-minute sessions some patients were treated with drugs and others with psychological therapy.

By the end of 16 weeks of treatment, 58 per cent of the patients had responded to both the drug and therapy treatments, the study said and it demonstrated that cognitive therapy when provided by experienced cognitive therapists was just as effective as medications, even among more severely depressed outpatients