Pim Cuijpers

The combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is more effective then either psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone, also in severe and chronic depression and at longer follow. At the short term, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy have comparable effects, but at the longer-term psychotherapy probably has better effects that pharmacotherapy, certainly when the use of antidepressants is stopped at some point. Drop-out is also lower for combined treatment compared with pharmacotherapy and the drop-out is also lower in psychotherapy compared with pharmacotherapy.

Publications:

• Cuijpers P, Noma H, Karyotaki E, Vinkers CH, Cipriani A, Furukawa TA (2020). A network meta-analysis of the effects of psychotherapies, pharmacotherapies and their combination in the treatment of adult depression. World Psychiatry, 19, 92–107.
• Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds III CF (2014). Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis. World Psychiatry, 13, 56-67.
• Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds III CF (2013). The efficacy of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in treating depressive and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of direct comparisons. World Psychiatry, 12, 137–148.
• Karyotaki E. Smit Y, Holdt Henningsen K, Huibers MJH, Robayse J, de Beurs D, Cuijpers P (2016). Combining pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy or monotherapy for major depression? A meta-analysis on the long-term effects. Journal of Affective Disorders, 194(1), 144-152.
• Karyotaki E, Smit Y, de Beurs DP, Henningsen KH, Robays J, Huibers MJH, Weitz E, Cuijpers P (2016). The long-term efficacy of acute phase psychotherapy for depression: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Depression & Anxiety, 33(5), 370-383.
• Cuijpers P, Hollon SD, van Straten A, Bockting C, Berking M, Andersson G (2013). Does cognitive behaviour therapy have an enduring effect that is superior to keeping patients on continuation pharmacotherapy? A meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 2013: 3, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002542