Temperament, character and personality disorders as predictors of response to interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy for depression.

Background: Interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy are widely accepted as effective treatments for major depression. There is little evidence on how personality disorder or personality traits affect treatment response.

Aims: To determine whether personality disorder or traits have an adverse impact on treatment response to interpersonal psychotherapy or cognitive-behavioural therapy in people receiving out-patient treatment for depression.

Randomised controlled trial of interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy for depression.

Background: Interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) are established as effective treatments for major depression. Controversy remains regarding their effectiveness for severe and melancholic depression.

Aims: To compare the efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy and CBT in people receiving out-patient treatment for depression and to explore response in severe depression (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score above 30), and in melancholic depression.

The effect of a history of alcohol dependence in adult major depression.

We examined 180 patients with a principal diagnosis of Major Depression, with or without a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol dependence. In the ever-dependent group, the GAF was lower; cannabis dependence higher; and Borderline, Schizotypal and Paranoid personality disorders more common. They reported more paranoia and interpersonal sensitivity on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and more friction and interpersonal behaviour on the Social Adjustment Scale.