Non-Pharmacological Interventions
Non-Pharmacological Interventions Overview
While pharmacological management of depression associated with interferon is important, it is also important to implement non-pharmacological interventions because the antidepressants have side effects and usually take a certain amount of time to reach a therapeutic level in the body. These interventions will help minimize the effects of depression in hepatitis C as well as maximize the effectiveness of the medications.
Effective non-pharmacological interventions include the following:
• Treat pain.
• Execute more frequent follow-up.
• Refer to a support group.
• Recommend exercise.
• Build a strong patient-clinician relationship.
• Participate in patient education and emphasize the risks of neuropsychiatric symptoms that can arise during hepatitis C treatment.
• Treat insomnia.
• Encourage relaxation techniques such as mediation, music, reading, walking, and taking showers or baths.
• Encourage good sleep hygiene.
• Encourage a healthy diet.
• Identify coping strategies that patients have previously employed and encourage them to use those strategies to address current stress.
• Make referrals for psychiatric consultation when symptoms do not respond to antidepressants as expected.
Educating patients regarding the benefits of non-pharmacological therapy, as well as the effects of antidepressants and medications in general, should be done verbally. This process can be enhanced with handouts that emphasize important aspects of treatment.
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