Prevention of relapse and recurrence in depression: the role of long-term pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
Major depressive disorder is a chronic disorder, frequently characterized by relapses and recurrences. One of the major risk factors for additional episodes of depression is the presence of residual symptoms that persist after a depressive episode ends; these residual symptoms tend to progress to another depressive episode. Although relapse or recurrence may be prevented with long-term pharmacotherapy, this approach is recommended only for patients at high risk of relapse or recurrence. Patients not at high risk who are effectively treated to full remission have a substantially lower risk of developing another depressive episode. In addition, psychotherapy, alone or combined with medication, has been shown to be effective in preventing further episodes of depression.
Nierenberg
Andrew A
AA
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. anierenberg@partners.org
Petersen
Timothy J
TJ
Alpert
Jonathan E
JE
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012307:Risk Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents