Depression and Anxiety have for many years been downplayed and minimized. Walking down the street one can hear individuals talking about their “depressing” weekend and the “anxiety” they feel over a possible date. What many fail to understand is that the fact that Anxiety and Depression are real mental illnesses that require a lot of work and extensive treatment. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “It 's not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder”(1) . In fact “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United
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The World Health Organization estimates that spending on anxiolytics alone is, on average, $94,880 USD per 100,000 people and sharply higher in wealthier countries, $315,560 USD per 100,000. The lack of access to treatment centers also drives individuals to self medicate which can lead to alcoholism and drug abuse.(2)
One of the most effective ways to address these illnesses is through Cognitive Therapy. The Cognitive therapeutic approach believes that “human beings have control over their feelings, and how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it”. A specific type of therapy that has become increasingly popular is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in which there is “a combination of cognitive therapy, with its emphasis on reducing self-defeating thoughts, and behavior therapy, with its emphasis on changing behavior …show more content…
This online program consists of five modules, interactive games, anxiety and depression assessments, relaxation audio, a workbook, and feedback assessment. There are also multiple translations of MoodGYM in Norway, Beijing, and Finland. According to their official online website, scientific trials have shown that using two or more MoodGYM modules is linked to lowered depression and anxiety symptoms and that the benefits still last after 12 months. MoodGYM is a free, confidential, modular-based program that is likely to reduce dysfunctional thinking and increase knowledge of cognitive behavioral therapy (Haldane, 2006). MoodGYM also shows how patients can develop good coping skills for the future through their modules. Although it may reduce depression and anxiety in some people, the National Institute of Mental Health Research does not claim that MoodGYM will be helpful for every individual, which is a major drawback for the computer-based therapy
The World Health Organization estimates that spending on anxiolytics alone is, on average, $94,880 USD per 100,000 people and sharply higher in wealthier countries, $315,560 USD per 100,000. The lack of access to treatment centers also drives individuals to self medicate which can lead to alcoholism and drug abuse.(2)
One of the most effective ways to address these illnesses is through Cognitive Therapy. The Cognitive therapeutic approach believes that “human beings have control over their feelings, and how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it”. A specific type of therapy that has become increasingly popular is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in which there is “a combination of cognitive therapy, with its emphasis on reducing self-defeating thoughts, and behavior therapy, with its emphasis on changing behavior …show more content…
This online program consists of five modules, interactive games, anxiety and depression assessments, relaxation audio, a workbook, and feedback assessment. There are also multiple translations of MoodGYM in Norway, Beijing, and Finland. According to their official online website, scientific trials have shown that using two or more MoodGYM modules is linked to lowered depression and anxiety symptoms and that the benefits still last after 12 months. MoodGYM is a free, confidential, modular-based program that is likely to reduce dysfunctional thinking and increase knowledge of cognitive behavioral therapy (Haldane, 2006). MoodGYM also shows how patients can develop good coping skills for the future through their modules. Although it may reduce depression and anxiety in some people, the National Institute of Mental Health Research does not claim that MoodGYM will be helpful for every individual, which is a major drawback for the computer-based therapy