[Effects of pharmaco- and psychotherapeutic interventions in depression among children and adolescents].
Contrary to earlier assumptions, the current consensus is that depression constitutes an important issue in the mental health of children and adolescents. Thus, effective therapy options for depressive children and adolescents are needed. Randomized, controlled intervention studies are reviewed: 24 studies on pharmacological interventions, 11 studies on psychological interventions, and two on combination therapy. For approximately half of the intervention methods (pharmacotherapy: 3/8; psychotherapy: 2/5) no randomized, controlled studies carried out. Furthermore, only some SSRI (fluoxetin, citalopram and sertralin) yielded positive results with regard to depressive symptoms. Beyond these results, fluoxetin is the sole pharmacological treatment during which suicidality does not increase as compared to results for a placebo control group (Hammad et al., 2006; Whittington et al., 2004). Earlier studies of CBT, IPT, and family therapy reported predominantly positive effects. Nevertheless, initial results for combination therapies (SSRI & CBT) indicate an advantage of this therapy approach over mono-therapies. Empirical data are described, followed by a discussion of the strengths and limitations of the earlier studies.
Pössel
Patrick
P
Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37203-5701, USA. patrick.poessel@vanderbilt.edu
Hautzinger
Martin
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000928:Antidepressive Agents