Childhood depression: a place for psychotherapy

BackgroundAlthough 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.AimsA clinical trial assessed the effectiveness of these two forms of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European child & adolescent psychiatry 2007-04, Vol.16 (3), p.157-167
Main Authors: Trowell, Judith, Joffe Ilan, Campbell, Jesse, Clemente, Carmen, Almqvist Fredrik, Soininen Mika, Koskenranta-Aalto Ulla, Weintraub, Sheila, Kolaitis Gerasimos, Tomaras Vlassis, Anastasopoulos Dimitris, Grayson, Kate, Barnes, Jacqueline, Tsiantis, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Childhood depression
Children
Clinical research
Clinical trials
Depressive personality disorders
Family therapy
Group therapy
Individual psychotherapy
Mental depression
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychotherapy
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Summary:BackgroundAlthough 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.AimsA clinical trial assessed the effectiveness of these two forms of psychotherapy in treating moderate and severe depression in this age group.MethodsA randomised control trial was conducted with 72 patients aged 9–15 years allocated to one of two treatment groups.ResultsSignificant 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.ConclusionsThis 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.
ISSN:1018-8827
1435-165X
DOI:10.1007/s00787-006-0584-x