Treatment of depression

WHAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE TREATMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE DEPRESSION?

New guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that people who suffer from mild to moderate depression receive individual self-help based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), computerized CBT or a structured group physical activity programme. Guidelines in place at the time of the Health Insurance investigation recommended counseling in addition to CBT and the mental health charity MIND has urged the NHS not to withdraw funding for this form of treatment.

DEPRESSION IN NUMBERS

11% of adults in the UK will suffer from depression and anxiety

By 2020 depression is projected to become the second leading cause of disability in the world

It is estimated that the number of people with depression in England will rise by 17% to 1.45 million by 2026

The total cost of services for depression in England in 2007 was estimated to be £1.7bn, £7.5bn including lost employment

People with self-reported depression/anxiety are three times more likely to be absent from work than workers without the condition

The proportion of people claiming incapacity benefit for mental health problems rose from 26% to 41% between 1996 and 2006

A recent study found that almost half (45%) of people with physical health problems experienced mild to moderate depression