Psychotherapy for dysthymia: a naturalistic study of ten patients

Article Abstract:

Dysthymia is a psychiatric condition in which the patient feels chronically depressed, helpless and hopeless. The individual perceives this depression to be out-of-control, and this state of mind is so pervasive that without treatment, dysthymia almost never improves. Little research has been done on the treatment of dysthymia, and most of the information that is available concerns drug therapy rather than psychotherapy. Ten patients were diagnosed as having dysthymia and were treated for it by one therapist, using a standardized cognitive-behavioral approach. The foundation of the treatment method was to convince patients that they were, in fact, completely responsible for their depressed state and, consequently, they could change it by altering their thought processes and behavior patterns. Patients needed to recognize that their behaviors had consequences, thus accepting an internal locus of control. Once this perspective had been gained, patients began altering their dysfunctional behaviors so that they could better manage situations and stresses in their lives. All 10 patients finished therapy successfully, defined as maintaining control over their own moods. At follow-up after a minimum of two years, only one of 10 patients had relapsed into dysthymia. It is concluded that cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for dysthymia (thus drugs may not be required), however, it must still be demonstrated that therapists other than the author can achieve similar results. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Psychotherapy

---

Alliance and outcome of late-life depression

Article Abstract:

Some older adults suffering from major depression were treated with either behavioral, cognitive, or brief dynamic therapy. (Brief dynamic therapy, as opposed to drawn-out psychoanalysis, confronts the behavioral aspects of the problem directly in relatively few sessions). Each treatment reduced symptoms the same amount. Degrees of perceived patient-therapist cooperation were similar for all the therapies, although patients' and therapists' perceptions of cooperation disagreed. As expected, good cooperation according to the therapist resulted in better treatment outcomes in brief dynamic therapy. Poor patient commitment resulted in depressive symptoms after treatment; this effect was strongest for cognitive therapy. High patient working capacity improved outcomes of cognitive and brief dynamic therapy. The theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed.

Evaluation

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Psychiatry in Africa: an overview. New York under the Rivers decision: an epidemiologic study of drug treatment refusal
• Abstracts: Psychotherapy with schizophrenics in team groups: a systems model. The question of medical psychotherapy
• Abstracts: Hypnotizability and dissociation. Disturbed body image in patients with eating disorders. Hypnotizability of psychiatric inpatients according to two different scales
• Abstracts: Previewing: a preventive strategy that promotes adaptive development. Whatever became of the schizophrenogenic mother?
• Abstracts: Psychiatrists' beliefs about gender-appropriate behavior. Medical education: a commentary on historical and contemporary issues

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.