The art of prescribing. Monotherapy antidepressant: a thing of the past? Implications for the treatment of major depressive disorder

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2007 Jul;43(3):142-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2007.00123.x.

Abstract

Over the past few years since I started working with patients with major depression I have noticed an alarming number that have had a poor response to monotherapy antidepressants. What is the best pharmacological approach to treating treatment-resistant depression? DEBORAH ANTAI-OTONG RESPONDS: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a relatively common, yet chronic, complicated, and disabling illness despite the broad range of treatment options available for depression. It is generally unrecognized and undertreated. Growing data challenge monotherapy antidepressant treatment as the sole option for depressed patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / nursing
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Monitoring
  • Drug Prescriptions*
  • Humans
  • Nurse Clinicians / organization & administration
  • Nurse Practitioners / organization & administration
  • Prognosis
  • Psychiatric Nursing / organization & administration
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents