Relapse Prevention for Depression

Depression relapse is a serious problem. At least 60 per cent of individuals who have had one depressive episode will have another, 70 per cent of individuals who have had two depressive episodes will have a third, and 90 per cent of individuals with three episodes will have a fourth episode. Given its associated toll on daily lives, depression and its recurrence represent one of the most pressing clinical, public health, and theoretical concerns for psychopathology research today. This book summarizes recent progress regarding the theory, research, and practice of relapse prevention for depression. Part I discusses individual risk correlates and predictors for depression relapse and recurrence. Part II discusses the four treatments with the most empirical support for preventing depressive relapse:: cognitive - behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, problem-solving therapy, and pharmacotherapy. Finally, Part III discusses relapse prevention in five key populations with an elevated risk for relapse:: older adults, suicidal individuals, individuals with chronic medical illness, individuals with substance use disorders, and individuals with marital distress. The book concludes with an epilogue listing the editors top ten guidelines for practitioners. With a heavy emphasis on implications for practice, this book will appeal to therapists and other health care workers, as well as depression researchers and graduate course instructors.