Comparative study of CBT and ICBT interventions on emotional competence isolation and life satisfaction among subjects with depression in relation to

INTRODUCTION Depression is a worldwide health problem, which lowers the quality of life for the individual and generates huge costs for the society. According to the World Health Organization, unipolar depressive disorders were ranked as the third leading cause of the global burden of disease in 2004 and will move into the first place by 2030 (WHO, 2012). Depression can affect anyone and it is one of the most widespread illnesses, often co-existing with other serious illnesses. It is a common mental disorder with mood features and accounting for a full 10% of productive years lost. Depression is an important public health problem because of its high prevalence, sufferings, and risk of suicide. It causes a huge burden, due to the disability, on to the client, family, and society. It does not occur due to a person's weakness or supernatural factors. It is the major cause of significant psychosocial disability and many individuals with depression do not receive adequate treatment. Though depression is easy to diagnose and can be effectively treated; only 30% of clients receive appropriate treatment. Stigma and ignorance are important barriers to seeking treatment. It is necessary to spread awareness about depression and ensure that affected clients receive timely and appropriate treatment. Depression Depression is a mood state that is characterized by significantly lowered mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that are normally enjoyable. Such depressed mood is a common and normal experience in the population. However, a major depressive episode can be distinguished from this 'normal' depression by its severity, persistence, duration, and the presence of characteristic symptoms (Andrews et al., 2014). A depressive disorder is a problem that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with depressive illness cannot merely 'pull themselves together' and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or