Commentary on "The use of cognitive behaviour therapy to treat depression in people with learning disabilities: a systematic review"

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on “The use of cognitive-behaviour therapy to treat depression in people with learning disabilities: a systematic review”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on the literature, as well as both clinical and research experience, some reasons are outlined for the lack of attention given to psychological therapies to treat depression amongst people with intellectual disabilities (IDs).

Findings

– More research is needed, but existing evidence is promising regarding the effectiveness of adapted cognitive-behaviour therapy for depression amongst people with IDs.

Originality/value

– The commentary draws attention to the scope for developing a range of effective cognitive, behavioural and cognitive-behavioural treatments.