Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Patient Support Systems
An essential part of the education process is including family members and significant others, if the patient agrees. Depression can be an insidious disease, and it is often difficult for patients to assess when they are becoming affected by it. It may also be difficult for patients to notice signs of improvement. Support systems, such as friends or spouses, can be important allies in a patient's care. These supports can help monitor symptoms, validate progress, identify side effects of medications, and suggest coping strategies to patients. Providing a "reality check" to patients can also be beneficial.

While it is important to cover this information verbally with your patients, it is also important to provide written material they can take home with them. Click on the titles in the descriptions below for handouts that you can use in your practice.

The Patient Self-Help Guide handout educates the patient about various non-pharmacological therapies that he or she may use to help manage the risk of depression.

The Medications for Depression handout educates patients about the effects of antidepressants (and medications in general).