EFFECT OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY ON DEPRESSION OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS PATIENTS WITH ATTEMPTED SUICIDE

Abstract

Objective: To compare the level of depression among major depressive disorder patients with suicide attempts before and after received the cognitive behavioral therapy program.

Material and Method: This  was  a  quasi  experimental  research  one  group  pre-post  test.  The  sample  consisted of major depressive disorder patients who received antidepressant therapy at least one year with suicidal behavior attending the Psychiatry Outpatient Department of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital and then was selected by purposive sampling. The instruments were 1) The cognitive behavioral therapy program from the study of Nutarika Rachabud, 2) Beck Depression Inventory: BDI, and 3) Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale: BPRS. The collected data were analyzed using independent  t-test.

Results: Most of the patients were 22 females (73.3%) , 11 cases  (36.7%) age between 41-50 years old, education : 18 cases  not more than junior high school level (60.0%), 10 cases as the farmers (33.3 %), 21 cases of married or living together couples (70.0%), 11 cases of arguing with their intimates leading to self harm (36.7%). The most of patients with self-harm by overdose drug using were 10 cases (33.3%). The group after receiving the cognitive behavioral program, had significantly lower of depression level than before receiving the program (p < 0.05).

Conclusion : The recommendations for caring guideline with the cognitive behavioral program among major  depressive  disorder  patients  with  suicide  attempts  should  be  done.  In  addition,  this  intervention  short course training for nurses worked in this field should be performed in order to achieve maximum effectiveness.