The multimodal approach to the treatment of minor depression

The multimodal approach endeavors to achieve rapid remission of depressive symptoms and significant relapse prevention. It is predicated on the assumption that it is usually insufficient to facilitate the acquisition of insight, dispute irrational ideas, and change negative automatic thoughts. In addition to the foregoing, behavioral deficits, sensory overloads, and negative imagery must be identified and remedied, and antidepressant medication should be considered. This paper outlines a seven-pronged approach in the treatment of "minor" depression. Some of the procedures include: assertiveness training, a "sensate focus" of enjoyable events, coping imagery, time projection, cognitive disputation, role-playing, desensitization, family therapy, and biological prophylaxis. In essence, this broad-based approach recommends that attention be paid not only to cognitive issues, but also to specific behaviors, sensations, images, interpersonal relationships, and other interactive effects. The multimodal framework (BASIC I.D.) enables the practitioner to administer the necessary measures in a systematic and comprehensive manner.