Goal

The objective of this ninth session is to inform the group about the pharmacological treatment of the depressive and mixed phases. As already happened in the clinical section (see p. 85), in the session on depression information on mixed phases is included for purely logistical reasons of time availability, although the treatment of the mixed phases is more similar to the treatment of mania than to the treatment of depression.

Procedure

• As has been usual in the last sessions, we will start the session with an informal conversation after which we will ask (two) volunteers to present their life chart.

• After completing the presentation of the life charts, we will ask the patients which they believe is the conduct to adopt in the event of depression, their opinion on the use of various antidepressant drugs and adherence, and what they think about the possible role of a psychological treatment. Again, we can make a list of use frequencies of antidepressants on the blackboard, as we did in the previous two sessions.

• Before starting to explain at length the treatment of depression, we will insist on the difference between depression and sadness as a normal emotion and will specify that sadness, like any other regular mood, cannot and must not be “treated, ” since it is not a disease.

• Then, we will present the material of the session.

• The session is closed as always after the questions round and discussion, and after delivering the material and the homework.