Page No 270-276
C. Bhaskar, and R. Kannappan
Vinayaka Mission University, Salem, Tamilnadu.
Major depressive disorder takes a big toll in human life. It is imperative to treat
depressed patients with medications and psychological therapy. The study
assessed the impact of two groups, one with medications, and the other group
with medications and psychosocial intervention. The sample was divided into
pharmacotherapy group, and pharmaco and psychosocial intervention group of
depressed male patients. In the psychosocial intervention, the patients attended
the programs three days in a week for three months and later on once in a
month with their informants. Level of functioning was determined at before, after
and follow-up1 and follow-up 2 using the following scales a) Type D Personality
Scale, b) Quality of life Scale and c) The report of family member which was
also used to assess the patient’s ability to stay out of the problem at home,
dysfunction in work, and the ability to lead a quality life. The scores on the level
of-functioning were significant between before and after, after and follow-up1and
follow-up2. Statistical tests indicated a substantial and significant increased in
level of functioning from before to follow up2 for all groups. Both the depressed
patients and their relatives could benefit from family psychosocial intervention
and for the compliance of pharmacotherapy. Nevertheless, the method of
intervention which took care of treatment and also efforts to change their coping
was much more effective in changing negative affectivity and social inhibition
.
.