Cognitive therapy can treat depression, but new research shows that switching between medication and cognitive therapy for depression, is often important.
Priscilla Hernandez describes her world as going completely black. Deep, dark depression zapped away all signs of life, energy, hope and motivation.
“I was as depressed as you can get. The only way I can think of describing it is bottom of the barrel and then some. My depression was impacting not just me, but my family and my ability to pretty much do anything,” says Priscilla.

Initially, Priscilla tried cognitive therapy. She went to a therapist who helped her work through her emotions. She says cognitive therapy did the trick for her depression, but only temporarily. Another round of depression hit, making her feel like her life was spiraling out of control. She then turned to anti-depressant medication.
“I needed something to really jumpstart me. I was in a very, very bad state, so I needed something to help me quickly,” says Priscilla.

Now, new research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry confirms that switching from psychotherapy to antidepressant medication or vice versa may improve symptoms in chronically depressed patients who are unresponsive to their initial treatment.

Dr. Jonathan Stewart, a research psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute explains that depending on the patient and the severity of depression switching from medication to cognitive therapy for depression, and vice versa, could make all the difference.
“That’s my experience with depression. One person will respond to something that somebody else doesn’t. The person that didn’t respond to say cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, may respond to medication and vice versa,” reports Dr. Stewart.

Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine studied chronically depressed patients who were treated with an antidepressant or cognitive therapy for depression. If unresponsive to either treatment, patients made the switch.

In other research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Robert DeRubeis compared the efficacy of antidepressant medications with cognitive therapy for depression, and found that for the initial treatment of moderate to severe depression, cognitive therapy may be as effective as medication.

“Our research suggests that there’s some interference that can come from taking the medications. The patient may not be motivated to work hard. Cognitive therapy or any effective form of psychotherapy is hard work. It requires that the patient disclose personal facts about herself,” says Dr. Rob DeRubeis, Professor and Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.

Although therapy did help, Priscilla says when her depression became so unbearable making the switch to medication saved her life.
“If I hadn’t done that, I really don’t think I would be here speaking to you today,” says Priscilla.

Medical experts say as much as antidepressant medication and cognitive therapy for depression, it’s important for family members and friends of a person who is battling depression to understand that it is a real illness. Patience and emotional support can make a big difference in helping your loved one heal and overcome their depression.

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