[Effects of cognitive therapy, drug therapy and combined therapy in improvement of major depression]

ABSTRACT

Major depression is one of the most common psychological disorders that exert a high impact on the life of patients and their families. There are many treatment methods for depression. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of cognitive-behavior therapy and drug therapy on improvement of major depression. This clinical trial was performed in Semnan [Iran] in 2008. 56 Patients with major depression were selected and assigned into 4 groups. All of the patients completed the Beck test and a demographic questionnaire before start of interventions as pre test. The post test was completed after the end of intervention. Findings showed that all of the methods have significant effects on improvement of depression, but combined therapy [cognitive behavioral therapy + drug therapy] is the best [P<0/05]. According to findings of this work, we suggest that team work approach consists of psychologists and heart Psychiatrists can be suggested for treatment of the patients with depression