Psychological management of mood disorders

There are currently at least seven broad types of psychological treatment with demonstrated efficacy in acute unipolar depression. Problem solving appears to be effective for moderate depression and could be used quite widely because it requires relatively brief training. However, only cognitive therapy has demonstrated effectiveness alone or in combination with antidepressants, in severe and treatment resistant depression, and also prevents further depressive recurrence. A number of potential predictors of response to cognitive therapy for depression have been identified. There are now six types of psychological treatment with demonstrated efficacy in terms of preventing further episodes of bipolar disorder but none has been shown to be effective in acute bipolar episodes. Again briefer treatments can be taught to less broadly trained health professionals. Although less effective than more complex treatments, their greater availability may mean that they have a greater benefit in clinical practice.