Looking Ahead

How many people are taking antidepressants without the complement of psychotherapy that a psychiatrist or psychologist or other mental-health caregiver provides? Is this a problem?

The vast majority of antidepressant prescriptions are provided by family medicine specialists, obstetrician-gynecologists and other non-psychiatrists. For many of these individuals, psychotherapy may be unavailable or at least difficult to obtain.

Evidence-based reports confirm that for those with depression that is moderate or severe, the best results occur when both antidepressants and psychotherapy are used together. Two psychotherapies have demonstrated effectiveness for depression. These are cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Both are strongly emphasized as part of the Depression Center's delivery system.