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