Breaking the rhythm of depression: Cognitive Behavior Therapy and relapse prevention for depression

A crucial part of the treatment of depression is the prevention of relapse and
recurrence. Psychological interventions, especially cognitive behavior therapy
(CBT) are helpful in preventing relapse and recurrence in depression. The
effectivity of four types of relapse prevention cognitive behavior therapy strategies
will be addressed, i.e. acute prophylactic cognitive behavior therapy, continuation
cognitive behavior therapy, sequential cognitive behavior therapy and cognitive
behavior therapy in partial remission.
Specific ingredients of three sequential cognitive behavior therapy programs
(well-being cognitive therapy, preventive cognitive therapy, and mindfulnessbased
cognitive therapy) will be discussed as applied after remission in patients
that experienced previous depressive episodes. Sequential preventive cognitive
behavior therapy after acute treatment may be an attractive alternative treatment
for many patients who currently use antidepressants for years and years to prevent
relapse and recurrence. This is an extremely challenging issue to research
thoroughly. Future studies must rule out what intervention for whom is the best
protection against relapse and recurrence in depression.
Keywords: major depressive disorder, relapse, recurrence, cognitive behavior
therapy, prevention, psychological interventions