Introduction
The best description that can be accorded to clinical psychology is that it is an amalgamation of various fields and sectors. Clinical knowledge, science and theory are all integrated to bring into action a field so complex and crucial in every aspect of society. The importance of the clinical psychology is that it allows for better understanding of all psychologically-based distresses. Behavioral well-being is an important part of human health just like any other component of health. By integrating various fields, clinical psychology allows for clinical psychologists to understand better, prevent and relieve any distresses and complications associated with psychology (Beinart, Kennedy and Llewelyn, 2009).
At the heart of clinical psychology are psychological assessments and psychotherapy all that go a long way in curing and relieving related illnesses (Plante, 2010). In this essay, an article “Treatment and Prevention of Depression” by Hollon, Thase and Markowitz will be discussed and analyzed in relation to class material. Depression is well captured within the article, and special attention is well placed on its treatment and prevention. New aspects of therapy are presented, and the reader is left with a rich array of treatment methods and strategies that may work greatly in reducing depression.
Brief Summary
In the article, Hollon, Thase and Markowitz delve into the topic of depression, which has been identified as a common and debilitating disorder. Suicides have been strongly associated and linked with depression over the years. Depression comes with other associated issues; a number of problems come along with depression and have been researched extensively. The writers of the article specifically delve into the treatment of depression. They argue that a person cannot only treat an acute episode and leave it at that, rather they should go ahead and put in place measures and strategies of ensuring they prevent subsequent episodes (Hollon, Thase and Markowitz, 2002).
The article speaks of various types of interventions that have shown efficacy in treating and managing depression. Antidepressants tend to work for a number of patients; however, there is a lack of sufficient evidence to prove that they reduce the risk of recurrence upon termination of use. The issue of efficacy is mentioned a number of times in the article in relation to the different medical classes. A considerable number of patients have responded to given medication, and those that do not respond are given a combination of various medicines that in the long run help them. Hollon, Thase and Markowitz take a lot of time and pain to explain more on medication for depression.
The writers suggest and argue that electro-conclusive therapy is more effective in treating depression. In terms of psychotherapies, the one that they reckoned is interpersonal psychotherapy. Acute distress can be reduced significantly by the use of interpersonal psychotherapy. Relapse and recurrence are also reduced by this form of psychotherapy; this, however, means that it has to be continued and maintained. The best recommendation that they give in the article is that, one can combine the interpersonal psychotherapy and medication to achieve better and more efficient treatment (Hollon, Thase and Markowitz, 2002). The greatest challenge that there is when it comes to interpersonal psychotherapy is that it is a new and recent practice. Because of the fact that it is a recent entrant into clinical practice, its use and availability is minimal.
Another treatment fostered within the article is that of cognitive behavior therapy that appears to be efficacious in treating and curbing depression. The best part of it is that is that has worked in incidences of severe depressions when administered by experienced therapists. Cognitive behavior therapy is a treatment for acute distress and maintained treatment is required to achieve desired outcomes (Hollon, Thase and Markowitz, 2002). An important aspect of this treatment is that it continues to be effective long after the treatment time is over. The argument being pushed in the article is that the strategies that are employed to ensure that psychiatric risk is reduced in patients can also be used to ensure that the initial onset of depression is prevented. An interesting aspect of therapy is introduced within the article, where Hollon, Thase and Markowitz hint at the importance of family-oriented therapy. Their argument is that such therapies help in reducing conflicts within the family of affected individuals.
Application of the Article
A great deal can be learnt and applied from the article. The various treatment methods and strategies mentioned within an article can form an integral part of clinical psychology and management of distress. In the case of interpersonal psychotherapy treatment, a lot needs to be done in terms of creating awareness and letting it grow as it presents a potential treatment strategy for depression no matter how severe it may be. Cognitive behavior therapy, on the other hand, is a potential replacement to medication when it comes to depression. These treatment methods and strategies require more research and advancement as they tend to possess the ability of being more efficient than medication (Beinart, Kennedy and Llewelyn, 2009).
What one can deduce from the arguments and treatments that are mentioned within the article is that the medication may be phased out with continued research in therapeutic measures and strategies. A new aspect that is also introduced in the article is that of family-focused or oriented therapy. Efficacy of medication is mentioned a couple of times and patients have reported and documented several incidents of failure; that is, the medication fails to work on them. It is a growing concern that should aid in shaping the field of clinical psychology in the sense that fewer resources should be employed in research and production of medicines that do not work so well.
The levels of failures in patients are high when it comes to medication and replaces and recurrences tend to occur more frequently. According to the arguments in this article, medication tends to be more of a short-term measure or treatment strategy that should be slowly phased out. Another outstanding realization that needs urgent attention is the fact that bipolar disorders have received little attention and, therefore, little research. As a result, its medication or therapy has not been developed to a large extent (Beinart, Kennedy and Llewelyn, 2009). Depression presents a clinical distress condition that requires precise and keen medical attention and care. This article by Hollon, Thase and Markowitz goes a long way in proving this point.
Prevention is much more important than the actual treatment. When the strategy of Cognitive behavior therapy is presented as one that can be used in a preventive manner, heads should turn, and research should be initiated. Clinical psychologists should be involved in developing ways that can aid in detecting and capturing individuals with possible symptoms of depression. Prevention should be at the heart of clinical psychology where therapists have methods that will allow an individual to avoid falling into the pit of depression. Not a single medicine can be associated with direct cure and prevention of depression; on the other hand, one learns that it is the therapies that tend to have more potential in providing cure and prevention of depression and other distress conditions (Plante, 2010).
Conclusion
In a nutshell, from the article, one learns that management of depression can be a daunting task to surmount. It is clear also from the article that depression is a crucial aspect in human life. Good medical management and treatment of depression can be hard to come by. A common issue with depression is that very few patients have access to medical care and treatment. Some of them are not even aware that the depression is a medical condition that should be take care of with a medical practitioner. A number of interventions that have been proposed and put in place to ensure that reduction and management of depression is contained do not work for everyone.
A great number of people who seek help and assistance from medical practitioners and clinical psychologists do not necessarily get help. These people lack the assistance that they need, and nothing is done in this effect. All having been said and done it is important to note that great strides and advancements have been made in the last decade in line the field of clinical psychology. However, a big chunk of research and analysis has to be done in line with the treatment of bipolar disorders and depression; more needs to be done in relation to the treatment of bipolar disorders.
References
Hollon, S. D., Thase, M. E., & Markowitz, J. C. (2002). Treatment and prevention of depression. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 3(2), 39-77.
Beinart, H., Kennedy, P., & Llewelyn, S. (2009). Clinical Psychology in Practice. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Plante, T. G. (2010). Contemporary Clinical Psychology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
