Which therapeutic approach is effective for mood disorders?

• A. Pharmacological treatment alone
• B. Cognitive and behavioral interventions
• C. Electroconvulsive therapy only
• D. Isolation and removal from social contexts

Answer: (B)

Cognitive and behavioral interventions focus on teaching people to recognize and change the thoughts that fuel mood problems and to modify daily behaviors that maintain symptoms. By learning cognitive strategies to challenge negative automatic thoughts and engage in activities that provide positive reinforcement (behavioral activation), individuals build skills for managing moods, reducing avoidance, and improving sleep and routines. This approach directly changes the patterns that sustain depression or anxiety, leading to meaningful improvements in mood and functioning and often offering durable coping tools even beyond symptom relief.

Pharmacological treatment can help reduce symptoms, but it doesn’t teach the skills to manage thoughts and behaviors over time, and stopping medication can lead to relapse. Electroconvulsive therapy is effective in certain severe or treatment-resistant cases but isn’t the standard approach for all mood disorders. Isolation and withdrawal typically worsen mood and remove sources of support and reinforcement.