Day hospital treatment of mood disorders

There are studies which predicted that patients treated in partial, day hospital settings improve more in intellectual efficiency and social interaction than patients treated in full-time, inpatient settings. The objective of this study was to determine the treatment effectiveness of Day Hospital care on a sample of patients with mood disorders. Study participants comprise patients with Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Dysthymia according to DSM-IV criteria. All the patients have been followed by a specifically trained equipe of health care professionals, made of psychiatrists, professional nurses and social assistants. Utilized assessment instruments and a specific day care treatment protocol for mood disorders including an integrated approach of pharmacological treatment and psychological support to patients and families will be discussed in detail. Advantages of treatment in a Day Hospital unit compared to out and in-patient clinics for selected groups of patients will be described.