Project Summary

Edward Watkins, Ph.D., MsC, CPsych (Young Investigator 2003) of Institute of Psychiatry, notes that chronic depression only partially remits, despite adequate doses of antidepressant medication is relatively common, yet difficult to treat.  Residual depression, as it is known, increases the risk for relapse/recurrence, psychosocial functioning impairments, poorer work performance and increased use of healthcare resources.  Dr. Watkins will develop a psychological intervention to improve residual depression by combining an adapted form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with antidepressant therapy.  This form of CBT, named rumination-focused CBT, trains patients to shift their style of thinking from the tendency to repeatedly reflect on depressed feelings, problems and self, and helps them develop alternative strategies to replace this ruminative thinking.  Dr. Watkins will develop a manual for administering rumination-focused CBT, will pilot test this treatment and will evaluate its feasibility and safety in a randomized control trial.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)

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