Diese Entscheidungshilfe wurde im Rahmen des Projekts „psychenet – Hamburger Netz psychische Gesundheit“ von Mitarbeitern des Projekts – unterstützt von Betroffenen – erstellt. Alle Informationen entsprechen dem aktuellen Stand der Forschung und wurden aus den aktuellen Versorgungsleitlinien (http://www.depression.versorgungsleitlinien.de) entnommen, die von Vertretern vieler Fachgesellschaften erarbeitet wurde:
 
DGPPN, BÄK, KBV, AWMF, AkdÄ, BPtK, BApK, DAGSHG, DEGAM, DGPM, DGPsDGRW (Hrsg.) für die Leitliniengruppe Unipolare Depression. (2017). S3-Leitlinie/Nationale Versorgungsleitlinie Unipolare Depression - Langversion; 2. Auflage. Version 5. Verfügbar unter: www.depression.versorgungsleitlinien.de. [26.03.2025]; DOI: 10.6101/AZQ/0002

Die Daten zur vergleichenden Wirksamkeit Psychotherapie - Antidepressiva stammen aus folgenden Studien:

1. Bagby MR, Quilty LC, Segal ZV et al. Personality and Differential Treatment Response in Major Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Pharmacotherapy. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2008; 53: 361-370
2. Blackburn IM, Bishop S, Glen AI et al. The efficacy of cognitive therapy in depression: a treatment trial using cognitve therapy and pharmacotherapy, each alone and in combination. The British Journal of Psychiatry 1981; 139: 181-189
3. Blackburn IM, Moore RG. Controlled acute and follow-up trial of cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy in out-patients with recurrent depression. The British Journal of Psychiatry 1997; 171: 328-334
4. David D, Szentagotai A, Lupu V et al. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Medication in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Posttreatment Outcomes, and Six-Month Follow-Up. Journal of Clinical Psychology 2008; 64: 728-746
5. DeRubeis RJ, S.D. H, Amsterdam JD et al. Cognitive Therapy versus Medications in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry 2008; 62: 409-416
6. Dimidjian S, Hollon SD, Dobson KS et al. Randomized trial of behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication in the acute treatment of adults with major depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2006; 74: 658-670
7. Elkin I, Shea MT, Watkins JT et al. National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. General effectiveness of treatments. Archives of General Psychiatry 1989; 46: 971-982
8. Hautzinger M, de Jong-Meyer R, Treiber R et al. Wirksamkeit Kognitver Verhaltenstherapie, Pharmakotherapie und deren Kombination bei nicht-endogenen, unipolaren Depressionen. Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie 1996; 25: 130-145
9. Hollon SD, DeRubeis RJ, Evans MD et al. Cognitive Therapy and Pharmacotherapy for Depression. Singly and in Combination. Archives of General Psychiatry 1992; 49: 774-781
10. Jarrett RB, Schaffer M, McIntire D et al. Treatment of Atypical Depression With Cognitive Therapy or Phenelzine. A Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Archives of General Psychiatry 1999; 56: 431-437
11. Konarski JZ, Kennedy SH, Segal ZV et al. Predictors of nonresponse to cognitive behavioural therapy or venlafaxine using glucose metabolism in major depressive disorder. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience 2009; 34: 175-180
12. Miranda J, Chung J, Y., Green BL et al. Treating Depression in Predominantly Low-Income Young Minority Women. A Randomized-Controlled Trial. JAMA 2003; 290: 57-65
13. Murphy GE, Carney RM, Knesevich MA et al. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Relaxation Training, and Tricyclic Antidepressant Medication in the Treatment of Depression. Psychological Reports 1995; 77: 403-420
14. Murphy GE, Simons AD, Wetzel RD et al. Cognitive Therapy and Pharmacotherapy. Singly and Together in the Treatment of Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry 1984; 41: 33-41
15. Segal ZV, Kennedy SH, Gemar M et al. Cognitive Reactivity to Sad Mood Provocation and the Prediction of Depressive Relapse. Archives of General Psychiatry 2006; 63: 749-755
16. Thompson LW, Coon DW, Gallagher-Thompson D et al. Comparison of Desipramine and Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Elderly Outpatients With Mild-to-Moderate Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry 2001; 9: 225-240

Folgende Studie macht Angaben zu den Risiken und Nebenwirkungen von Psychotherapie:
Ladwig I, Rief W, Nestoriuc Y. Welche Risiken und Nebenwirkungen hat Psychotherapie? - Entwicklung des Inventars zur Erfassung Negativer Effekte von Psychotherapie (INEP). Verhaltenstherapie 2014; 24: 252-263