Effect of comprehensive psychotherapy on psycho-behavior in patients with depression

ObjectiveTo study the effect of comprehensive psychotherapy on psycho-behavior in patients with depression. MethodsTotally 197 patients with depression were divided into a study group and a control group randomly,and treated only with antidepressant or combined with comprehensive psychotherapy for 12 weeks.The psycho-behavior was assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire(SCSQ),and Suicide Attitude Questionnaire(QSA) before and 4,12 weeks and 1 year after the treatment. ResultsThere were no significant differences in all factor scores between the two groups before the treatment(P>0.05 for all).The total points of HAMD decreased remarkably in the two groups by the end of 4th week(P<0.01)and the decrease in the study group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.01).At the end of 12th week,all factor scores except positive coping and factor of attitude torwads the familiy members of suicides (F3) of the study group were significantly different from those of before the treatment(P<0.01).There were also differences in the scores between study group and control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).All factor scores except F3 were significantly different (P<0.05 or P<0.01)and there were also differences in relapse and suicide rate between two groups(χ²=5.67,P<0.05;χ²=3.85,P<0.05)by the end of 1-year follow-up. ConclusionComprehensive psychotherapy combined with antidepressant can control the symptoms and change the attitude of the patients with depression more quickly and effectively,which could serve as a ideal model to reduce relapse and suicide rates of depression patients.