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MoodGYM
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is described by the Royal College of Psychiatrists as being a way of talking about how someone thinks about themselves, the world and other people, and how thought patterns and feelings are affected by behaviour and actions.CBT aims to focus on the ‘here and now’ problems and difficulties. Instead of focussing on the causes of a patient's distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to effect an improvement in the now. It has been found to be helpful in anxiety, depression, panic, agoraphobia and other phobias, social phobia, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. The Royal College of Psychiatrists also state that CBT is one of the most effective treatments for conditions where anxiety or depression is the main problem, is the most effective psychological treatment for moderate and severe depression and is as effective as antidepressants for many types of depression.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommend that for patients with mild depression, health care professionals should consider recommending a guided self-help programme based on CBT. Current research suggests that the delivery of CBT via a computer interface may be of value in the management of anxiety and depressive disorders. This evidence is, however, still insufficient to recommend the general introduction of this technology into the National Health Service (NHS).
The difficulty, however, is that NHS waiting times are often lengthy and there may be a lack of appropriately trained practitioners. So, given that work related mental ill-health remains one of the commonest problems reported to The Health and Occupation Reporting Network; it would seem feasible that quicker access to CBT for individuals may help in assisting with a return to work and provide longer term benefits following a return.
MoodGYM is one example of a computerized CBT which states it's aim as helping to identify and overcome problem emotions and show how (patients) can develop good coping skills for the future so that good mental health can be enjoyed.
It is a free, modular-based programme developed by the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University. Each module explores issues such as:
- (i) why someone feels the way they do,
- (ii) changing the way they think,
- (iii) changing ‘warped’ thoughts,
- (iv) knowing what makes an individual upset and
- (v) assertiveness and interpersonal skills training.
- (ii) changing the way they think,
The MoodGYM developers claim that the programme has been shown to be effective, compared to a control condition, in decreasing symptoms of depression in a community setting and quote a paper from the BMJ to substantiate this. However, they do acknowledge that while MoodGYM may reduce depression in some people it may not be helpful for every individual.
The material is well laid out and easy to navigate. Registration is simple, essentially requiring a valid e-mail address and user name (which can be a pseudonym). The developers guarantee that personal information is never disclosed.
Once registered, individuals work through a series of modules or workbooks, which can be undertaken piecemeal depending on the time available.
In summary, MoodGYM is likely to reduce dysfunctional thinking and certainly increase knowledge of cognitive behaviour therapy. It may therefore also be beneficial in assisting the outcomes when an individual goes forward to formal CBT.
- Access speed = 4
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- User-friendliness = 5
- Links to other websites = 4
- Overall score = 5
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This site is certainly of general interest to occupational physicians who are likely to see significant numbers of individuals with mental health problems. It may also be of value to GPs to pass onto patients.
Should be ‘bookmarked’ (added to favourites).
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