Improving the effectiveness of self-help materials for mental health problems common in primary care

Abstract

This paper analyses the need for self-help materials for psychological problems common in primary care. Anxiety and depression account for 8% of general practitioner consultations in Great Britain. Most of these cases are mixed or co-morbid, which presents difficulties of diagnosis and treatment. Psychological interventions are the most effective long-term treatment for anxiety. In depression, psychological interventions enhance the efficacy of antidepressants, reduce the rate of relapse and are the preferred alternative to drugs for milder depression. However, the availability of psychological treatments is insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for self-help materials sophisticated enough to assist that majority suffering concurrent anxious-depressive disorders. Such sophisticated self-directed treatments should consist of multi-component, self-help materials designed and assessed around a comprehensive model of psychological functioning. All the elements for this stage in the development of self-directed treatments are currently available.