If 'drugs don’t work' for depression, CBT may.

“Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can reduce symptoms of depression in people who fail to respond to drug treatment" BBC News has reported. CBT is already an established ‘talking therapy’ for depression and takes a more pragmatic and problem solving approach than more traditional forms of psychotherapy.

The study found that people who received CBT in addition to antidepressants, rather than continuing to receive antidepressants alone, had around a three-fold increased chance of responding to treatment and having a reduction in their depression symptoms over the following 12 months.The study provides further evidence on the effectiveness of CBT to treat depression, particularly in those who have not responded to antidepressants alone.

Paul Farmer, chief executive at the mental health charity Mind "We welcome this research because it recognises that patients should have the right to a wide range of treatment options based on individual needs".

To read the full article via NHS Mental Health, click here.

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