Non-pharmacological treatment for depression

Abstract

본 논문은 현재 우리나라 우울 증상의 현황과 문제점, 그리고 우울증의 비약물학적 치료의 현황 및 권고할 수 있는 자기 관리 방법에 대해 기술하고 있다. 특히 국내에서는 연구가 잘 진행되고 있지 않았던 우울증의 비약물학적 치료에 대해 근거중심적 방법에 따라 기술하고 있어서 이의 임상적인 가치가 매우 높다고 판단된다. 즉 우리나라의 문화적 여건을 고려한 상태에서 우울증의 비약물적 치료 방법의 적용가능성 및 제한점을 함께 제시하고 있어서 실제 임상 현장에서 질환으로 비롯된 우울 증상을 호소하는 환자를 진료하게 되는 모든 과의 임상의사들에게 이들 환자의 우울 증상을 대처하는데 있어서 실질적인 도움을 제공할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.In treatment of depression, non-pharmacological treatment is as important as pharmacological treatment. However, in clinical practice in Korea, non-pharmacological treatment is not provided sufficiently and patients are not satisfied with psychiatric interviews. Accordingly, patients ask for more information from clinicians. Clinicians should be aware of the characteristics of depression in Korean patients, because the manifestations of symptoms are influenced by cultural factors. In particular, depressed patients complain about somatic symptoms more frequently than they complain about depressed mood itself. In order to establish a therapeutic relationship with depressed patients, clinicians should be aware of these characteristics of depressed patients and clinicians should also address the needs of their patients. The author introduces evidence-based self-care methods for Korean patients with depression. St. John's wort, acupuncture, air ionization, light therapy, massage bibliotherapy, exercise, meditation, relaxation, and yoga can be helpful for overcoming depression. Among them, the Clinical Research Center for Depression, an organization supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has recommended several non-pharmacological treatments for depression. First of all, exercise, such as walking more than 30 min. everyday, is strongly recommended. Other recommendations include bibliotherapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy. For the nationwide management of depression, social bias against the treatment of depression should be reduced and non-pharmacological treatment for depression should be encouraged.