Randomised trial of gratitude diaries for depressed patients using office based internet software.

INTERVENTION: The intervention group will be given a gratitude diary and an information sheet about depression. A gratitude diary is a book in which one is instructed to write down three things each day that they are grateful for and what they have done to cause that. This is done for one week then just once per week thereafter. The underlying theory is that it changes an individuals focus from what is not working to what is working. The duration of the study is four months CONDITION: depression PRIMARY OUTCOME: Hopkins depression checklist PHQ‐9 score and the Hopkins checklist for depression SECONDARY OUTCOME: GAD‐ the GAD is an anxiety inventory which can be used to diagnose generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Uncomplicated depression