title: Strategies for treatment-resistant depression.
abstract: Approximately 30% of patients with major depression respond poorly to treatment with any given antidepressant regimen, and as many as 60% to 75% experience residual or recurrent symptoms. Strategies for improving response include extending the duration of each treatment beyond the usual 2-4 weeks, increasing the antidepressant dose, switching to another antidepressant, using two or more antidepressants together, and using adjunctive medications or other treatment modalities. Some of these strategies have strong support from clinical investigations while others are based more on clinical experience. This article reviews the risk factors for treatment resistance and provides strategies for improving treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ballas
authors.forename: Jeffrey P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Staab
authors.forename: Dwight L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents