Kurz- und langfristige Wirksamkeit von Psychotherapie bei Depression im Vergleich zu medikamentöser Therapie

Depression is a worldwide highly prevalent mental disorder. In national and international guidelines, psycho-and pharmacotherapy or their combination is recommended for its treatment. The short-term efficacy of these treatment options has been proved by many studies. However, only a few studies have investigated the lasting effect of the short-term therapeutic success after acute, continuation or maintenance therapy. The average follow-up period observed in the majority of the existing literature about long-term effects in the treatment of depression is about 2 years. The results of these studies show a superiority of psychotherapy or combination therapy over pharmacotherapy at follow-up. Because of the high risk for recurrence and chronicity episodes, information on long-term effects is needed to make adequate treatment recommendations. Not only is the data on therapeutic long-term effects limited, but also on withdrawal symptoms and on placebo effects. Future research is essential in order to recommend patients a therapy which includes optimal short-and long-term benefits.