resistant depression

Last reviewed 01/2018

• some people with depression do not respond well to initial treatment
• the NICE depression guideline (1) defines treatment-resistant depression as that which fails to respond to two or more antidepressants given sequentially at an adequate dose for an adequate time
• patients whose depression is treatment-resistant may benefit from psychological interventions
• for chronically depressed patients, the combination of pharmacological and psychological treatment may be particularly effective
• patient preference, the level of risk, social and personal circumstances, and the drawbacks of all interventions will influence the choice of treatment

See linked NICE guideline summary for more details.

Reference:

1. NICE (December 2004). Management of depression in primary and secondary care