Facts You Need to Know About Refractory Depression
If your depression does not show any sign of improvement despite having been subjected to several medications, then it is a definite indication of refractory depression, which is also known as treatment resistant depression. Technically, the latter would be the diagnosis for depression sufferers after their condition fails to alleviate even after taking three or four different antidepressants. At this stage, the depression has already turned chronic and would require other forms of treatment to be prescribed by your respective psychiatrist. Unlike dysthymia, this particular kind of chronic depression is more intense and persists for a longer period of time, and its symptoms permeate your life totally to the extent that it could drive you to suicide.
More often than not, the factors causing or worsening refractory depression are difficult to determine. Nevertheless, it is not enough excuse to abandon treatment and give up hope. Along with a psychiatrist specializing in chronic depression, look for the best method of treatment that would yield positive results. In doing so, you can opt for some of the latest techniques in treating depression. As with other cases, you can have a psychiatrist and another therapist pair together to ensure that you are getting the best effects from combined therapy and daily medication regimen, which could involve using new antidepressant drugs.
