This Way Up - Mixed Depression and Anxiety Course

Description:

The course is designed to treat the symptoms of both anxiety and depression and is based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The course lasts 8 weeks and comprises of six online lessons, homework activities, participation in an online discussion forum and regular email/phone contact with either your own clinician or a This Way Up clinician. Each lesson takes about 20 minutes and you will need an additional 3-4 hours per week to complete suggested homework activities. Part of each lesson is presented as an illustrated story about a woman who struggles with generalised anxiety and depression and a man who experiences panic attacks and social anxiety. You will learn practical skills for tackling these difficulties and improving your emotional wellbeing. As you progress through the lessons, automatic emails are sent to remind you to complete materials and to notify you of new resources.

Service URL:

https://thiswayup.org.au/clinic/courses/courses-we-offer/mixed-depression-and-anxiety/

Agency Responsible:

This Way Up, Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney.

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Psychological – CBT.

Course Length:

Long (more than 5 modules). 6 lessons over 8 weeks

Support Option:

Clinical support. By either your own clinician or a This Way Up clinician

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Panic disorder. This course is designed to help with anxiety (including panic, GAD and social phobia) and depression

Target Audience:

Adult.

Language:

English.

Access

Fee:

Free. The course costs $55

Access:

Closed: Fee required. You need to be referred by your clinician to register for the course. Your clinician can select to either supervise you on the course or for a This Way Up clinician to supervise you.

Contact Details:

Through an online form at:
https://thiswayup.org.au/about/contact-us/

Research evidence

Research Trials:

2

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

One randomised control trial has been completed to test the efficacy of the Depression and Anxiety Course. In this study participants with a principle diagnosis of major depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder and or social phobia were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a waitlist control group. The treatment group reported significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to the control group - including a measure of panic disorder symptoms and a generalised depression anxiety stress scale. Moreover, a subsequent open trial in which participants from the original wait-list control completed a shortened version of the course produced similarly positive results. However, further studies are needed in order to establish with greater certainty the effectiveness of this course as a form of treatment specifically for panic disorders - especially given the small number of participants in these studies suffering from panic disorders.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

Read more about Beacon's Smiley Rating System.

Research paper citations

Evidence evaluation studies:
Titov, N., Dear, B.F., Schwencke. G., Andrews, G, Johnston, L., Craske, M.G., McEvoy, P. (2011) Transdiagnostic internet treatment for anxiety and depression: A randomised controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49, 441-452.

Dear, B.F., Titov, N., Schwencke. G., Andrews, G, Johnston, L., Craske, M.G., McEvoy, P. (2011) An open trial of a brief transdiagnostic internet treatment for anxiety and depression. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49, 830-837.

Additional references:
Hilvert-Bruce, Z., Rossouw, P.J., Wong, N., Sunderland, M., Andrews, G. (2012) Adherence as a determinant of effectiveness of internet cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depressive disorders. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50, 463-468.