Childhood depression. A place for psychotherapy. An outcome study comparing individual psychodynamic psychotherapy and family therapy.

Although considered clinically effective, there is little systematic research confirming the use of Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy or Family Therapy as treatments for depression in children and young adolescents. A clinical trial assessed the effectiveness of these two forms of psychotherapy in treating moderate and severe depression in this age group. A randomised control trial was conducted with 72 patients aged 9–15 years allocated to one of two treatment groups. Significant reductions in disorder rates were seen for both Individual Therapy and Family Therapy. A total of 74.3% of cases were no longer clinically depressed following Individual Therapy and 75.7% of cases were no longer clinically depressed following Family Therapy. This included cases of Dysthymia and “Double Depression” (co-existing Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymia). There was also an overall reduction in co-morbid conditions across the study. The changes in both treatment groups were persistent and there was ongoing improvement. At follow up six months after treatment had ended, 100% of cases in the Individual Therapy group, and 81% of cases in the Family Therapy group were no longer clinically depressed. This study provides evidence supporting the use of focused forms of both Individual Psychodynamic Therapy and Family Therapy for moderate to severe depression in children and young adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Depression in young people: description, assessment and evidence-based treatment

OBJECTIVE: The literature on depression in children and adolescents was reviewed to provide an update for clinicians. REVIEW PROCESS: Literature of particular relevance to evidence-based practice was selected for critical review. Meta-analyses and controlled trials were prioritized for review along with key assessment instruments. OUTCOMES: An up-to-date overview of clinical features, epidemiology, prognosis, aetiology, assessment and intervention was provided. CONCLUSIONS: Depression in children and adolescence is a relatively common, multifactorially determined and recurring problem which often persists into adulthood. Psychometrically robust screening questionnaires and structured interviews facilitate reliable assessment. There is growing evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy and family therapy in the treatment of paediatric depression. There is also evidence that SSRIs may be particularly effective for severe depression, although they may carry the risk of increased suicidality.Author has checked copyrightkpw6/12/1