Cognitive-behavioral management of drug-resistant major depressive disorder.
BACKGROUND
The application of cognitive-behavioral treatment to drug-resistant major depression has received little research attention.


METHODS
Nineteen patients who failed to respond to at least two trials of antidepressant drugs of adequate dosages and duration were treated by cognitive-behavioral methods in an open trial.


RESULTS
Three patients dropped out of treatment. The remaining 16 patients displayed a significant (p < .001) decrease in scores on the Clinical Interview for Depression after therapy. Twelve patients were judged to be in remission at the end of the trial; only 1 of these patients was found to have relapsed at a 2-year follow-up. Antidepressant drugs were discontinued in 8 of the 12 patients who responded to cognitive-behavioral treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results suggest that a trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy by an experienced therapist should be performed before labeling an episode of major depression as "refractory" or "treatment resistant." These latter terms should apply only when a psychotherapeutic effort has been made. Until then, it seems more appropriate to define depression as "drug refractory" or "drug treatment resistant."
Fava
G A
GA
Affective Disorders Program, University of Bologna, Italy.
Savron
G
G
Grandi
S
S
Rafanelli
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents