Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
Although rapid progress was made in the past decade in the development of short term treatment approaches, relatively little attention was given to the treatment of Dysthymic Depression as a separate disorder. It is therefore important that medical doctors and other health professionals recognize this disorder as a separate disorder from Major Depression and adjust their treatment of this disorder accordingly (Keller, 1994). Although Dysthymia is seen as 'n low grade disorder and not as severe as Major Depression, this disorder also has a hampering effect on the quality of the individual's life. It affects relationships with meaningful others, mental and physical well - being as well as productivity (Keller, 1994; Klerman & Weissman, 1992). With the hampering effect on the individual's life, Dysthymic
Depression is also costly and is a substantial burden for the family and the community. According to Rupp (1995) appropriate treatment of individuals with affective disorders will be costeffective. , The prevalence of depression in primary care make this disorder an ideal target for treatment-(Robinson, 1995). In this regard, Robinson (1995) mentions that treatment for these disorders is less intensse and'more short term that specialized treatments. In the past few years there have been a.shift from long term treatment strategies to short term structured handbook orientated treatment programs for disorders like depression. Pantalon, Lubetkin & Fishman (1995) emphasize the need for objective and
•knowledgeable guides for the treatment of mental disorders. According to these researchers selfhelp books and guides are effective together with cognitive behavioral therapy. The aim of this study was therefore the development of a short
term cost effective handbook orientated treatment program for Dysthymic Depression as well as the effectiveness of the treatment program. Antoher aspect of this treatment program that makes it unique, is the exercise component that is incorporated into the program with the cognitive behavioral approach. A group of 23 Dysthymic patients have been evaluated to establish the degree of depression, personality pathology that is present and the course of the therapeutic intervention. This group , received treatment over a period of 8 weeks. A second group of 22 patients served as a control group. The control group received medication and other therapy. The results of this study indicate that not only 'did the intensity of the depression lift, but certain indexes of psychopathology were also reduced. The indexes of psychopathology that indicated an reduction, were the Avoidant, Self-defeating, Schizotypal, Borderline, Anxiety, Somatoform, Dysthymic as well as Major Depression disorders. The effectiveness of the therapy sessions were also monitored over the , period of 8 weeks and indicated a reduction in certain negative factors, namely: Aggression, Anxiety, Fatigue, Sadness and Skepticism. While these factors indicated a reduction in prevalence the following factors indicated an increase in preValence over the 8 therapy sessions: . Surgency, Elation, Concentration, Social Affect, Egotism and Vigor. Although the test sample were relatively small, it is accepted that it was representative of the universum of the Gauteng region where this sample was taken from. From the results obtained from this study it seems that - this handbook orientated treatment program was not only effective for Dysthymic Depression, but also for certain indexes of psychopathology over the 8-week therapy sessions. From the analysis of the components of the therapy sessions, is clear that the model of the Dysthymic individuals showed an improvement with the handbook orientated treatment program.