Self-help books for depression: how can practitioners and patients make the right choice?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depression is a common and important public health problem most often treated by GPs. A self-help approach is popular with patients, yet little is known about its effectiveness.

Aim

Our primary aim was to review and update the evidence for the clinical effectiveness of bibliotherapy in the treatment of depression. Our secondary aim was to identify which of these self-help materials are generally available to buy and to examine the evidence specific to these publications.

Method

Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CCTR, PsiTri and the National Research Register were searched for randomised trials that evaluated self-help books for depression which included participants aged over 16 years with a diagnosis or symptoms of depression. Clinical symptoms, quality o

SUBMITTER: Anderson L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1463163 | biostudies-literature | 2005 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature