Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T10:59:36.705Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Read all about it: guided bibliotherapy for depression in adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Tom Foster
Tom Foster*
Affiliation:
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh, Northern Ireland BT79 0NS
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Early intervention in depression is important for many reasons including expeditious alleviation of suffering, assisting parenthood, suicide prevention and helping the economy. The fact that people with depression frequently employ maladaptive coping strategies, notably alcohol misuse, suggests the need for evidence-based self-help for sufferers. Self-help can be viewed as a philosophy of patient empowerment and as “a health technology solution to volume and demand”. Bibliotherapy (self-help using written materials) provides information and encourages the reader to make changes leading to improved self-management. Enthusiasm for the use of bibliotherapy in depression should be tempered by pursuit of a sound evidence base.

Keywords

BibliotherapyDepression.
Type
Review
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , September 2006 , pp. 111 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Richards, D. Self-help: Empowering service users or aiding cash strapped mental health services? J Ment Health 2004; 13: 117–123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Lewis, G, Anderson, L, Araya, R, et alSelf-Help Interventions For Mental Health Problems. Department of Health expert briefing. London: DoH, 2003.Google Scholar
3.Cuijpers, P. Bibliotherapy in unipolar depression: a meta-analysis. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 1997; 28: 139–147.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Bower, P, Richards, D, Lovell, K. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of self-help treatments for anxiety and depressive disorders in primary care: a systematic review. Br J Gen Pract 2001; 51: 838–845.Google ScholarPubMed
5.Richards, A, Barkham, M, Cahill, J, et al.PHASE: a randomised, controlled trial of supervised self-help cognitive behavioural therapy in primary care. Br J Gen Pract 2003; 53: 764–771.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Holdsworth, N, Paxton, R. Managing Anxiety and Depression: A Self Help Guide. London: The Mental Health Foundation, 1999.Google Scholar
7.Geddes, J, Butler, R, Hatcher, S. Depressive disorders. In Clinical Evidence Mental Health. London: Gaskell & BMJ, 2004: 114–137.Google Scholar
8.National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Depression: Management of Depression in Primary and Secondary Care. Clinical Guideline 23. http://www.nice.org.uk/CG023 NICEguideline, 2004.Google Scholar
9.Mead, N, MacDonald, W, Bower, P, et al.The clinical effectiveness of guided self-help versus waiting-list control in the management of anxiety and depression: a randomised controlled trial. Psychol Med 2005; 35: 1–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Nelson, G, Loomis, CReview: self-help interventions improve anxiety and mood disorders. Evid Based Ment Health 2005; 8: 44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.den Boer, PCAM, Wiersma, D, van den Bosch, RJ. Why is self-help neglected in the treatment of emotional disorders? A meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2004; 34: 959–971.Google ScholarPubMed
12.Anderson, L, Lewis, G, Araya, R, et al.Self-help books for depression: how can practitioners and patients make the right choice? Br J Gen Pract 2005; 55: 387–392.Google ScholarPubMed
13.Burns, DD. Feeling Good - The New Mood Therapy. New York: Avon Books; 1999.Google Scholar
14.Greenberger, D, Padesky, CA. Mind over Mood: Change how you feel by changing the way you think. New York: The Guildford Press; 1995.Google Scholar
15.Gilbert, P. Overcoming Depression. London: Constable & Robinson; 2000.Google Scholar
16.Williams, C. Overcoming Depression: A Five Areas Approach. London: Arnold; 2001.Google Scholar
17.Floyd, M, Rohen, N, Shackelford, JAM, et al.Two-year follow-up of bibliotherapy and individual cognitive therapy for depressed older adults. Behav Modif 2006; 30: 281–294.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Williams, C. Use of written cognitive-behavioural therapy self-help materials to treat depression. Adv Psychiatr Treat 2001; 7: 233–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.McKendree-Smith, NL, Floyd, M, Scogin, FR. Self-administered treatments for depression: a review. J Clin Psychol 2003; 59: 275–288.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Boardman, J, Henshaw, C, Willmott, S. Needs for mental health treatment among general practice attenders. Br J Psychiatry 2004; 185: 318–327.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety (Review of Technology Appraisal 51). Technology Appraisal 97, 2006.Google Scholar