Facebook Enhances Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy Effects

Abstract

Treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TR-MDD) is a complex condition, with very low remission rates. In recent years some studies have been conducted on the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy interventions via the Internet to MDD patients, and results have been promising. However, there have been no studies in patients with TR-MDD nor with the use of Facebook with the psychiatrist as “friend.” 60 TR-MDD patients were randomized to one of three groups: Facebook group with psychiatrist as “friend,” Facebook group without psychiatrist as “friend,” and control group (no Facebook use). Both Facebook groups spent at least 1 hour/day on Facebook, 7 days/week, during the 3 months. All patients maintained their usual pharmacotherapy. All participants were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months for depressive symptoms using HAD17 and BDI-II. Results show that both Facebook groups had a decrease on HADM17 and BDI-II scores as well as higher remission and response rates than the control group, with better results if the psychiatrist was a “friend” on Facebook. Therefore, in TR-MDD, Facebook can be used as an effective enhancement therapy, adjuvant to pharmacological therapy with regular consultations, especially if the psychiatrist is the patient's online “friend.”

Social Networking Sites, Depression, and Anxiety: A Systematic Review

“…Tsai et al [87] found that users accepting the friend request of an ex-partner tend to have higher levels of trait anxiety and depression severity than those who reject the request. Mota-Pereira [88] demonstrated that for individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) also currently taking antidepressants, the use of Facebook over a 3-month period significantly reduced depressive symptoms, compared with a no-Facebook control, and the addition of a “psychiatrist as a friend” showed significantly faster improvement in depressive symptoms. Such findings suggest a broad beneficial impact of SNS use when treatment is augmented by friends from a user’s network.…”

Social comparisons, social media addiction, and social interaction: An examination of specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder in a millennial population

“…Previous studies have found that intentionally sharing one's emotions with others helps decrease depressive symptoms in times of high stress (Zhang, 2017). Additionally, studies have shown that individuals who use Facebook as a means to enable perceived social support and connection also reported lower depressive symptoms (Grieve, Indian, Witteveen, Tolan, & Marrington, ; Mota Pereira, ; Wright et al, ). Individuals with MDD may follow fewer people in an effort to limit their potential online exposure.…”

The Use of Technology to Augment Clinical Care in Depression and Anxiety Disorders: An Evidence Map

“…Support was given by the provider in 14 studies (5 percent), by other patients in nine studies (3 percent), or it was automated through reminders by smartphone in two studies (1 percent). One study assessed provider support offered through a Facebook connection (Mota Pereira, 2014). Psychotherapy was patient self-directed (27 percent), provider-directed (20 percent), or psychotherapy-administered through someone other than self, provider, other patients, or automated (4 percent).…”