Depression is a common reason for people to seek help from mental health professionals, and research suggests that there are a number of effective psychological treatments available.
The most effective psychological treatments for depression are cognitive behavioural therapy, problem-solving therapy, behavioural activation and interpersonal psychotherapy. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has also been shown to be effective in preventing future periods of depression in those people who have previously experienced depression.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) can bring about lasting change that can decrease the chance of having depression again in the future. It helps the person to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours which can contribute to depression, and aims to build skills to manage depression in an ongoing way.
Problem-solving therapy helps people gain mastery over day-to-day difficulties, stresses and problems which otherwise might seem overwhelming.
Behavioural activation aims to increase motivation and help a person to return to their usual activities. In behavioural activation, activities and behaviours that can help to improve mood and quality of life are planned for in an ‘activity schedule’. Typically, a mix of activities are selected including some which the person finds enjoyable and some which give them a sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) involves addressing problems in the person’s relationships and expectations about others that might be contributing to their mood. IPT helps people to:
- find new ways to develop and nurture relationships
- resolve conflicts with others
- express emotions and communicate more effectively
- adapt to changes in life roles
- improve social support networks.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is designed to reduce the risk of depression returning (relapse prevention), by teaching people mindfulness meditation combined with cognitive-behavioural techniques.
Mindfulness meditation helps the person to focus on the present moment without judging these experiences or trying to change them. MBCT has been found to be effective in preventing relapse, and there is some evidence that it may be effective as a treatment of depression as well.