Liaison psychiatry and mood disorders

Therapy (CBT).

o This involves: identifying negative automatic thoughts (keeping a diary to

monitor them), testing and correcting automatic thoughts (real‐life

experiments), cognitive rehearsals, anticipating critical difficulties that maybe

encountered and using rehearsals to counter them. Problem solving is taught.

Behavioural techniques such as activity scheduling are done to help the client

gain mastery/pleasure from succeeding at graded tasks.

o There is evidence to show that it is as effective as antidepressants in the

treatment of mild to moderate depression and there is some evidence to

support its use even in more severe disorders.

o The effects of CBT are longer lasting than antidepressant treatment.