Depressed? Talk to Your Computer

Computer-based depression and anxiety therapy should be available to all patients in England starting in April.

According to health secretary Patricia Hewitt, ministers hope that the two computer programs Fear Fighter and Beating the Blues will give patients an alternative to medication.

Experts do warn, however, that the computerized cognitive behavioral therapy would not be suitable for all patients. Experts also want extra funding to train and recruit more therapists.

Advice issued today by the Department of Health recommends that local NHL trusts provide the computer therapy to patients that have mild to moderate depression or anxiety before they prescribe drugs. People would be able to access the therapy at their home or library in addition to healthcare facilities.

The programs teach patients how to deal with stressful situations and negative thoughs.

Beating the Blues is intended to treat people with mild to moderate depression, while Fear Fighter is directed at people who have phobias or other anxiety attacks. It prompts the users to record a diary of what frightens them.

The patients are told to set goals to try and deal with their anxiety. It also offers advice on techniques to control breathing upon the onset of a panic attack.

"We want to offer patients even greater choice over how, when and where they are treated. On April 1, we will reach the first milestone in our drive to provide choice - namely quicker access to computer-based self-help services to stop mild mental health problems becoming worse," Hewitt said.

According to the chief executive of Mind, Paul Farmer, computerized therapy will make it easier for people to get treatment.

"Its immediacy will benefit people who have been waiting months or even years to see a therapist," he said.

Farmer did warn, however, that computerized therapy would not suit everyone's needs.

"It is important that there is a choice of options," he said.

Clinical psychologist Martin Bamber likes the new offering, saying that the therapy will be an effective first line of treatment for people with mild depression and anxiety.

Dr. Bamber did say, however, that computerized therapy should not be a replacement for face-to-face therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy aimed to positively change beliefs and behavior. It is usually has patients attending about 12 sessions.

Swindon GP Peter Crouch said trials of computerized therapy at his practice showed it to be highly beneficial to his patients.

Sources:
http://society.guardian.co.uk/socialcare/story/0,,2044862,00.html
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006880787
http://www.epolitix.com/EN/News/200703/fbf4d9a5-663d-4cdd-898f-13d45166347d.htm