As part of a study, the Rutgers Mood Disorder Program is offering free treatment to men and women, ages 18-65, who are experiencing the symptoms of major depression.
The treatment program, known as Group Individual Family Treatment, or GIFT, is a 12- to 16-week therapy program comprising group, individual and family sessions. The group sessions are 90 minutes and are held Tuesday nights from 6-7:30 p.m. Individual and family meetings can be scheduled Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Meetings are held in the psychology building, Frelinghuysen Road, on the Busch campus in Piscataway.
Participants in GIFT will be selected on the basis of telephone and in-person interviews to identify those suffering from major depression. Symptoms include consistent feelings of sadness, loss of pleasure in previously enjoyable events, low energy, insomnia, loss of appetite, and poor concentration, according to Michael Friedman, assistant professor of psychology and founder and director of the Mood Disorder Program at Rutgers.
"There is no one clear cause for depression," Friedman said. "Depression may be caused by a complex interaction between biological, psychological and social factors. There is a strong mind-body connection. We are trying to understand those factors."
Using behavior modification, GIFT encourages patients to develop skills to cope with depression, including engaging in more enjoyable activities, seeking support from family, and lowering self-criticism.
"We believe that family involvement is necessary in helping us treat a patient’s depression," Friedman said.
The program is also planning to study whether there is a link between depression and physical illness.
"Individuals with physical illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes, appear to be more at risk for depression," Friedman said. "Conversely, the presence of depression appears to predict physical illness, such as greater risks for heart attacks."
One of the program’s goals will be to study the mechanisms by which depression and physical illness may influence one another, and to develop behavioral treatments to better manage conditions.
For more information, call the Mood Disorder Program at (732) 445-2469.

