BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence M. Oud METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260612T134500 DTEND:20260612T151500 DTSTAMP:20260612T134500 UID:2026/phd-defence-m-oud@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260614T083531 LOCATION:Hoofdgebouw, Aula De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence M. Oud X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Navigating the Spectrum of Mental Health

Large analysis of 169 studies: psyc hotherapy helps depression, borderline ánd bipolar disorder

Mental illness is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time. Depression in particular affects many people and is a major cause of absenteeism and reduced quality of life worldwide. Conditio ns such as bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder also have a major impact on patients and those around them.

Health s cientist Matthijs Oud's research offers more insight into which treat ments are most effective. The results help patients and health care p roviders to make more informed choices about the treatment of psychol ogical symptoms. General practitioners, guideline developers, health insurers and policy makers can also use the scientific insights to be tter design mental health care.

More accessible, effect ive and better informed mental health care
One of the mos t striking conclusions is that psychotherapy for depression in genera l practice appears to be at least as effective as treatment with anti depressants. This knowledge can support physicians and patients in ma king appropriate treatment choices together. Oud hopes that the resul ts will contribute to more accessible, effective and informed mental health care.

The impact of the research is now visible in pract ice. Two studies from the dissertation have been included in national and international treatment guidelines. Thus, the findings are not l imited to science, but have a direct impact on the care patients rece ive.

More information about the dissertation

DESCRIPTION:

Large analysis of 169 studies: psychotherapy helps depression, borderline ánd bipolar disorder

Ment al illness is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time. De pression in particular affects many people and is a major cause of ab senteeism and reduced quality of life worldwide. Conditions such as b ipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder also have a major impact on patients and those around them. Health scientist Matthijs Oud's research offers more insight into which treatments are most eff ective. The results help patients and health care providers to make m ore informed choices about the treatment of psychological symptoms. G eneral practitioners, guideline developers, health insurers and polic y makers can also use the scientific insights to better design mental health care. More accessible, effective and better informed mental health care
One of the most striking conclusions i s that psychotherapy for depression in general practice appears to be at least as effective as treatment with antidepressants. This knowle dge can support physicians and patients in making appropriate treatme nt choices together. Oud hopes that the results will contribute to mo re accessible, effective and informed mental health care. The impact of the research is now visible in practice. Two studies from the diss ertation have been included in national and international treatment g uidelines. Thus, the findings are not limited to science, but have a direct impact on the care patients receive. More information about th e dissertation Navigating the Spectrum of Mental Health END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR