Social skills training compared with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of unipolar depression

Abstract

Four treatments for unipolar (nonpsychotic) depression were contrasted: amitriptyline; social skills training plus amitriptyline social skills training plus placebo; and psychotherapy plus placebo. Female outpatients (72) were studied 52 of whom completed the 12 wk of treatment. The 4 treatments, conducted by experienced clinicians, were not substantially different from one another. Each treatment produced significant and clinically meaningful changes in symptomatology and social functioning. Several notable differences were identified across groups as follows: a significant difference in dropout rates (from a high of 55.6% for the amitriptyline group to a low of 15% for the social skills plus placebo group) and a significant difference in the proportion of patients who were substantially improved. The social skills plus placebo treatment was the most effective treatment on this dimension.