Currently, depression is one of the great scourges of our century. It is a mental disorder that affects more than 350 million people worldwide. In our country, 10% of the population is at risk of suffering from it throughout their lives. A severe depressive episode leads to an inability for social and work life for the person who suffers from it, in turn causing great suffering for those who experience it.
Symptoms of depression
The main symptoms that appear when a person suffers from depression are: apathy, sadness, inhibition, demotivation, disinterest, negativism, and a loss of capacity to enjoy aspects of daily life.
From the perspective of a successful recovery for the depressed patient, I have carried out a bibliographic review analyzing the different psychotherapies that can be effective for treating depression scientifically, taking into account the different psychotherapies used in each research process, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation, and Problem Solving.
The success of different psychotherapies
For this, the following authors corroborate the obtained results through research articles.
Vázquez González (2002), after his research study, shows us the efficacy of the Problem-Solving Technique applied to major depression.
Pérez Álvarez (2007) corroborates in his article on a bibliographic review of behavioral activation and demedicalization of depression, which emerges as the most effective therapy for depression.
Carles Úbeda (2002) reflects that other authors, whom he cites as Vázquez, Muñoz, and Becoña (2000), indicate that cognitive-behavioral interventions are as effective as antidepressants or even more so.
Bados and collaborators (2002) show us that less than 25% of people with psychological disorders receive psychological therapy; of those who seek psychological therapy, between 25%-40% do not accept the proposed treatment or do not attend the first therapy session. Around 65%-80% of patients abandon treatment before the tenth session (although 25%-33% of these claim to have improved).
Pérez and collaborators (2001) highlight that behavioral therapy offers a complete approach to depression as well as any other psychological disorder. They emphasize the following tools as relevant within behavioral therapy: 1. Pleasant activities program; 2. Social skills training; 3. Course for coping with depression.
After conducting a bibliographic review, it can be concluded that the most effective treatments with demonstrated efficacy for depression are Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Therapy. This efficacy has been shown to be, at a minimum, equal to the efficacy of antidepressant medication (which is more evidenced by Cognitive Therapy).
The psychotherapeutic treatment of depression is covered in both the Master’s in Clinical and Health Psychology and the Master’s in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy. Don’t hesitate to ask for more information!