Nonpharmacologic aids in the treatment of depression

While pharmacotherapy is often necessary to effectively treat depression, many depressed patients do not fully respond to, or will not cooperate with, medication trials. Nonpharmacologic interventions such as patient and family education, self-help efforts, cognitive therapy, family involvement and behavioral scheduling may, in various combinations, provide either primary or adjunctive treatment for mild to moderate depression. Family physicians can adapt these techniques to the primary care setting. Recent changes in the economic climate as it affects the availability of psychiatric care have magnified the role of primary care physicians in the treatment of depression.