Physician Profile

Eva Szigethy, MD, PhD, directs a randomized trial to study effects of cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) in depressed adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Depression is known to be a costly co-morbidity in physically ill populations. The early identification and treatment of depressive disorders in children and adolescents with chronic physical illness is an understudied area. Given the significant risk of emotional and physical harm to physically ill adolescents who are depressed, the development and implementation of effective preventive interventions is crucial. Dr. Szigethy's study examines the effects of a cognitive behavioral intervention in adolescents with IBD and sub-syndromal depression. The early data shows promising effects in improving depressive symptoms and global functioning in adolescents with co-morbid IBD and clinically significant depression.