Proposals for massive expansion of psychological therapies would be counterproductive across society.
In 2007 the UK Government announced a substantial expansion of funding for psychological therapies in England to provide better support for people with conditions such as anxiety and depression. Will these services result in the medicalisation of normal distress? Or are they simply an evidenced-based solution for a previously unmet need? In this debate Derek Summerfield and David Veale discuss the issues raised by these controversial proposals.
Summerfield
Derek
D
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. derek.summerfield@slam.nhs.uk
Veale
David
D
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D012803:Sick Role; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce