<p>Yes, that is the consensus view among psychiatrists and clinical psychologists (<em>e.g.</em>, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23240706" rel="nofollow">Parker <em>et al</em>., 2012</a>). A commonly referenced authoritative guideline for treatment of major depressive disorder is the <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg90/chapter/1-Guidance" rel="nofollow">NICE guide</a>.  </p>

<p><strong>Reference</strong><br>
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23240706" rel="nofollow">Parker <em>et al</em>., <em>Acta Psychiatr Scand</em> (2013); <strong>128</strong>(4): 271-81</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-12T17:53:18.567Z
A study done with only 18 people over only 3 months, to me, doesn't seem to be even close to convincing.
William Oliver
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-01T06:16:21.240Z
@WilliamOliver - While I understand that the number of subjects might be a little low for your liking, 3 months is definitely long enough for an initial study, seeing as CBT (Cognitive Based Therapy) is inherently designed for a maximum of 6-12 sessions.
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-01T13:44:00.057Z
@ChrisRogers that is a fair point.
William Oliver
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-22T18:08:12.717Z
2016-06-22T21:14:22.400Z
2016-06-22T21:14:22.400Z
BitShrink
<p>Is there any evidence that supports the idea that a severe depression/anxiety can't be treated with CBT? </p>

<p>Since, it's in severe state, and one has to use anti-depressants to lower the level, and then obviously CBT can help reduce a moderate to low level depression. Is a severe depression/anxiety too strong to be healed by CBT, and it makes the usage of anti-depressants necessary?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-22T18:40:34.550Z
Do you mean with CBT cognitive behavioral therapy? Could you explain the acronym at least once in your post?
AliceD
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-01T06:18:27.030Z
Related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/1977/7604
Chris Rogers
<cognitive-psychology><depression><anxiety>
Severe depression/anxiety can't be treated with CBT
Arslan Ali
# Severe depression/anxiety can't be treated with CBT

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-17)

Is there any evidence that supports the idea that a severe depression/anxiety can't be treated with CBT?

Since, it's in severe state, and one has to use anti-depressants to lower the level, and then obviously CBT can help reduce a moderate to low level depression. Is a severe depression/anxiety too strong to be healed by CBT, and it makes the usage of anti-depressants necessary?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, depression, anxiety

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Do you mean with CBT cognitive behavioral therapy? Could you explain the acronym at least once in your post?  
> **username_2**: Related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/1977/7604  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-06-22. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

Yes, that is the consensus view among psychiatrists and clinical psychologists (*e.g.*, [Parker *et al*., 2012](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23240706)). A commonly referenced authoritative guideline for treatment of major depressive disorder is the [NICE guide](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg90/chapter/1-Guidance).

**Reference**  
[Parker *et al*., *Acta Psychiatr Scand* (2013); **128**(4): 271-81](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23240706)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: A study done with only 18 people over only 3 months, to me, doesn't seem to be even close to convincing.  
> **username_2**: @WilliamOliver - While I understand that the number of subjects might be a little low for your liking, 3 months is definitely long enough for an initial study, seeing as CBT (Cognitive Based Therapy) is inherently designed for a maximum of 6-12 sessions.  
> **username_4**: @ChrisRogers that is a fair point.  

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