title: [Biological mechanisms in the psychotherapy of depression].
abstract: The question concerning biological changes during psychotherapy can be approached in the context of depressive disorders. In this sphere several clearly defined specific treatments are available with broad evidence for their effectiveness. Furthermore, detailed theories about the biological mechanisms in the context of depression are available. Important impulses for the understanding of the question focussed by this article were initiated by the research on placebos. Based on the evidence supplied by this research, the question can be discussed whether psychotherapy should be considered as a trigger for the self-healing tendencies of an organism.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Aldenhoff
mesh_terms: D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy