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Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the family functioning between patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and physically ill patients with no psychiatric disorder in Isfahan. Method and Materials: In this descriptive-analytic study, three clinics were randomly selected from clinics of psychotherapy in Isfahan, and 30 patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were randomly selected from the all referees in 2006-2007. The control group consisted of 30 non-psychiatric physically ill patients referred to Al-Zahra hospital in Isfahan. The Bloom’s Family Functioning Scale (FFS) was administered to both groups. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) and multi-way Analysis Of Variance (multi-way ANOVA) methods.  Findings: The mean scores of family cohesion, family sociability and family idealization were higher in the depressed group compared with the control group (P Discussion: According to the FFS scores, the best predictors of depression were the rates of family cohesion, family sociability and family idealization. Evaluation of family functioning can help psychiatrists, mental health authorities and families in achieving a more comprehensive approach toward the management of the disorder.

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Aim and Background: Efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Traditional Cognitive Behavior Therapy in reduction of over generality in autobiographical memory test of patients with Major Depressive Disorder in 2007 is considered in this study. Method and Materials: This clinical-experimental study was carried out on 90 patients randomly selected from 160 cases refering to Tehran University Consulting Centers, Shahed University and Saba Rehabilitation Clinic and met DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. They were divided into 3 equal groups including CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy), MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy)] with CBT, and TAU (Treatment As Usual). The first and second groups received psychological treatment while the third ones received medications. They were between 18 and 45 years old with two depression episodes and evaluated through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM- IV (SCID) and self–report by Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), in two pre and post tests. Data were analyzed by Co-variance analysis. Findings: MBCT with CBT group have significantly increased specific and categorical memory and combined and CBT groups decreased depression symptoms. Conclusions: Elements from MBCT and CBT in comparison to CBT made was more effective in Autobiographical memory test specifity.

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Late life depression is both underdiagnosed and undertreated. The impact of medical conditions may mask depressive symptoms. Untreated depressive disorder in older people impair their quality of life and leads to decreased ability for self care and diminish in social interaction and increase in health care use. This article provides an update and current evidence in relation to old age depression and its diagnosis and treatment especially in co occurring depression and medical disorders.

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Aim and Background:  major depressive disorder (MDD) has physically and psychological effect on individuals with that disorder. One of the effective areas is emotion expression styles and metacognitive beliefs that has important role in interpersonal and between individual relationships. The purpose of this research was study of emotion expression styles and metacognitive beliefs in individuals with MDD. Methods and Materials: The sample population was included individuals with MDD (n=47) on base of DSM IV-TR criterions and students (n=40) in Semnan University without MDD in 2009. The devices which are aid to collecting data had Questionnaires of Meta-Cognition (MCQ), Emotional Expressiveness (EEQ), Emotional Control (ECQ), and Ambivalence over Emotional Expressiveness (AEEQ). The questionnaires data had been analyzed by use of Pearson correlation coefficient and one-way ANOVA. Findings: There was a significant difference between metacognitive beliefs and emotion expression styles in individuals with MDD and students (P<0.05). Also, There was a significant difference in subscales of negative emotion expressiveness, rumination or rehearsal, positive emotion expressiveness, and entitlement expressiveness significantly, were the best predictors of metacognitive beliefs between two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated the effectiveness of dysfunctional in metacognitive beliefs and emotion expression in individuals with MDD that it associated with their metacognitive beliefs and emotion expression ways. Thus, they aren&#039;t accuracy mindfulness because they concentrate to events distortion. Also, individuals with MDD have not necessary skills for labeling and self feelings interpretation and involve in internal challenge between metacognitive beliefs and emotion expression.

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Abstract Aim and Background: The most common psychiatric disorders in the general population, especially in Iran, are anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Several theories have been developed in recent years to explain the cognitive and behavioral disorders, including the &ldquo;intolerance of uncertainty&rdquo; model. This study aims at comparing variables of intolerance of uncertainty, worriness, cognitive avoidance and negative problem orientation, among patients with generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and normal subjects. Methods and Materials: Three groups of patients with generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and normal subjects, each with 30 members were selected using purposive sampling method. In order to collect the required data, questionnaires of intolerance of uncertainty, worriness, cognitive avoidance and negative problem orientation were used among three groups. Collected data was analyzed using Multivariate analysis and variance analysis as well as SPSS software version18. Findings: In four above mentioned variables, the difference between the three groups reached a significant level (P<0.05). In the variables of intolerance of uncertainty, worriness and negative problem orientation, the difference between each of the two groups of patients with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder with normal subjects was significant&nbsp; (P<0.05). The difference between patients with major depressive disorder and normal subjects in cognitive avoidance variables was also significant (P <0.05). Conclusions: Four factors existing in &ldquo;intolerance of uncertainty&rdquo; model are common features of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. Psychiatrists and psychologists awareness of these factors can accelerate the identification, diagnosis and treatment of failure patterns in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and major depression.

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Aim and Background: The objective of the present study was the comparison of the efficacy of pharmacotherapy with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in the reduction of the severity of symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and follow-up (1 month) was conducted from November to February of 2013. The statistical population consisted of all patients diagnosed with MDD by a psychiatrist based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and had medical records at the Sedigh Psychiatric Clinic in Khoramabad, Iran. The study participants consisted of 40 patients selected through convenience sampling method. The subjects were randomly assigned to the pharmacotherapy (n = 20) or MBCT groups (n = 20) and completed the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (pretest). Then, the MBCT group received 8 sessions of MBCT and the pharmacotherapy group received a 20-mg fluoxetine capsule daily for 2 months. At the end of the intervention, posttest was performed on both groups. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS software. Findings: The results of the present study indicated a significant difference between the pharmacotherapy and MBCT groups (P < 0.001); the mean scores of the pharmacotherapy group showed a more significant decrease compared to the MBCT group. Nevertheless, the effects of MBCT showed greater persistence over the follow-up period. Conclusions: The results showed that both treatment methods were effective in improving depression in patients. However, pharmacotherapy was more effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and MBCT had more persistent therapeutic effects. Therefore, based on the results of such studies, it is recommended that researchers design clinical trials with the integration of empiric therapy methods in future studies.

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Aim and Background: Major depression disorder (MDD) is comorbid with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of this study was to compare depressing rumination and its components among patients with MDD and OCD and healthy individuals. Methods and Materials: The current study was a causal-comparative research. The statistical population included all patients with MDD and OCD referred to the clinics, psychiatric centers, and counseling centers in the city of Tabriz, Iran. Using structured clinical interviews based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and convenience sampling, 30 individuals with MDD and 30 individuals with ODC were selected and compared with a group of 30 healthy matched individuals. The participants completed the Depressive Rumination Inventory. To analyze the data, MANOVA was used in SPSS software. Findings: The results showed that the mean scores of depressive rumination were significantly higher in patients with MDD and OCD compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.001). In addition, no significant difference was observed among the MDD and OCD groups in terms of depressive rumination scores (P < 0.330). Conclusions: Depressive rumination is a common component in both MDD and OCD, and can play a role in the development, maintenance, and severity of the two disorders. This finding could be applied in the diagnosis and treatment of these two disorders.

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Aim and Background: The number of previous studies on the subject of specific treatments for chronic depression disorders was limited and significantly incomplete. Identification of applied indicators in treatment approaches of chronic depression disorders extracted from previous work would result in the development of applied and plenary treatment of these disorders. Methods and Materials: In this narrative review, referring to the databases like Pubmed and ScienceDirect, and a review of 71 articles, the treatment approaches and the most important applied indicators related to the treatment of chronic depressive disorder were extracted. Findings: There are differences between acute and chronic depression of existing signs, and the aforementioned treatments often focus on major depression. The effective methods in the treatment of chronic depression include psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), cognitive-behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy, schema therapy, behavioral activation therapy, group therapy and family-based treatment. However, in any of these ways, there are major weaknesses. According to the literature, some common elements in treatment of chronic depressive disorders are time-limited psychotherapy, explicit rationale for treatment, the active therapist position, focus on current problems, emphasis on changing current behavior and interpersonal interactions, self-monitoring of change and progress, regular homework assignments, continuation/maintenance therapy to extend gains, combined pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment, family-based interventions. Conclusions: In comparison with research conducted in major depressive disorder, research support in psychotherapy for chronic depression is relatively young and further research is essential.