Self-help strategies to be useful for improvement and recovery of mood symptoms: A Delphi consensus study

Abstract

Mood disorders are highly prevalent mental disorders that have a significant influence on the community. In addition to the clinical symptoms, it is known that subclinical mood symptoms can be often managed with self-help strategies. However, more evidence is needed to clarify self-help strategies that are optimal for managing these disorders. The Delphi method was used in this study to assess experts’ and the general public’s consensus on self-help strategies for improving and recovering from mood disorder symptoms and the feasibility of implementing treatment for these symptoms. A literature search identified 150 strategies that have been proposed as helpful for mood symptoms. A sample of 61 clinical experts and 81 members of the general public participated as panels. Both panels rated the “helpfulness” and “feasibility” of implementing each of these strategies. After three evaluation rounds, 20 strategies related to “helpfulness” and 19 related to “feasibility” for mood symptoms were endorsed by at least 70% of both panel members. Experts and the general public rated specific strategies very differently; however, there was considerable overall agreement about typical lifestyle and psychosocial strategies. It is recommended that these strategies be evaluated to clarify their potential for reducing mood symptoms’ burden, the possibility of being promoted to the public, and their impact.