Comparison of the effects of cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy on hopelessness and self-concept.

The authors examined the effects of cognitive therapy and imipramine on hopelessness and self-concept in 35 unipolar nonpsychotic depressed outpatients who were treated with either modality over approximately 11 weeks. Compared with imipramine, cognitive therapy resulted in significantly greater improvements in hopelessness and more generalized gains in self-concept. Thus, cognitive therapy may offer a particular advantage in reducing hopelessness and improving low self-concept in depression.