Full access

Clinical Synthesis

Published Online: 1 October 2012

The Long-Term Management of Major Depressive Disorders

Richard C. Shelton, M.D., and Steven D. Hollon, Ph.D.Authors Info & Affiliations

Publication: FOCUS

Volume 10, Number 4

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.10.4.434

PDF/EPUB otherformats

Abstract

In recent years, depression has been reconceptualized from a short, self-limiting condition to longer time frames as a result of the observation that most depressed persons will have a recurrent or chronic course. Similarly, antidepressant therapy, either with drugs or psychotherapy, has been recast in longer time periods. The best current evidence indicates that ongoing treatment with medications and certain types of psychotherapy (with interpersonal psychotherapy [IPT] and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy [CBT] and related approaches being the most widely tested) reduce risk for relapse (defined as the return of the original episode of depression) and recurrence (the occurrence of a new episode). IPT, CBT, and medications reduce risk while they are continued, but only CBT seems to have an enduring effect after it is discontinued. Significantly, combining CBT with antidepressant medications initially may reduce the preventive effect of CBT on relapse and recurrence. Therefore, the choice of initial treatment determines the need for longer-term continuation of therapy.

Formats available

You can view the full content in the following formats:

View PDF/ePub View Full Text

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

FOCUS

Volume 10 • Number 4 • Fall 2012

Pages: 434 - 441

History

Published online: 1 October 2012

Published in print: Fall 2012

Authors

Affiliations

Richard C. Shelton, M.D.

View all articles by this author

Steven D. Hollon, Ph.D.

View all articles by this author

Notes

Address correspondence to Richard C. Shelton, M.D., EFH 305B, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0018; e-mail: [email protected]

Funding Information

Author Information and CME Disclosure

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format	RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks
Direct importt
Citation style
Style

Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

PDF/ePub

View PDF/ePub

Full Text

View Full Text

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Purchase Options

Purchase this article to access the full text.

PPV Articles - Focus

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR^® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

The Long-Term Management of Major Depressive Disorders

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Formats available