What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is a type of depression that has not responded adequately, or even minimally, to traditional methods of treatment (i.e. medications or talk therapy).  As with any type of depression, the symptoms can range from mild to severe.  The key is to determining if your depression is treatment depression is to pay attention to how much the symptoms of depression respond to treatment.  Other factors to consider when being treated for depression:

  • Environmental factors: quality of romantic relationships, quality of friendship groups, employment status, housing
  • Physical health: are you eating healthy food?, are you exercising?, or do you have co-morbid medical problems that could contribute to the lack of response to medications?
  • Review all medications and supplements:  psychiatric medications, general medical medications, and vitamins
Treatment-Resistance Depression

Things to Know About Treatment-Resistant Depression?

  • Over 350 million people world wide suffer from Depression according to the world health organization
  • 31% of adults with medication-treated MDD meet criteria for treatment resistant depression
  • The likelihood of achieving remission declines with each successive treatment attempt
    • 1st treatment attempt:  27.5% chance of achieving remission
    • 2nd treatment attempt: 21.2% chance of achieving remission
    • 3rd treatment attempt: 16.2% chance of achieving remission
    • 4th treatment attempt:  6.9% chance of achieving remission
  • The likelihood of discontinuing treatment increases with each new medication attempt
    • 1st medication-  8.6% chance of discontinuing medication due to side effects
    • 2nd medication- 23.1% chance of discontinuing medication due to side effects
    • 3rd medication-  35.2% chance of discontinuing medication due to side effects
    • 4th medication-  41.4% chance of discontinuing medication due to side effects
  • There is no one cause of depression known to the medical community
    • Depression is likely a multifactorial condition, so multifactorial solutions may be the best way to approach treatment
Treatment-Resistance Depression

Ways To Address Treatment-Resistant Depression?

  • Consider alternatives to medications such as TMS. Follow this link to read more about TMS and how The C.U.B.E. may be able to help.
  • If only doing talk therapy, consider adding medications.
  • If only taking medications, add talk therapy.
  • Consider pharmacogenetic testing for genetic information regarding medication.
  • Review the timing of your medication trial, as some antidepressants take weeks to work
  • Consider changing your current medication regimen with augmenting agents, such as Lithium or Abilify

What Are The Next Steps To Addressing Treatment-resistant depression?

You can call The C.U.B.E. Mental Health Services at 213-433-2823 or fill out the contact here

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