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Psychosocial functioning in patients with treatment resistant depression
Timothy Petersen1, George I Papakostas, Yasmin Mahal
1Department of Psychiatry, Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, WAC 812 Boston, MA 02114, USA. tpetersen@partners.org
Summary
Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) experience significant psychosocial functioning impairments. Both patients and clinicians rated global social adjustment as poor, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Depression causes significant disability, impacting psychosocial functioning.
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) presents unique challenges.
- Systematic assessment of psychosocial functioning in TRD is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically assess psychosocial functioning in patients with TRD.
- To evaluate the impact of TRD on various life domains.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) scale.
- Assessed 92 patients meeting formal criteria for TRD.
- Patients were part of a clinical trial for lithium augmentation of nortriptyline.
Main Results:
- Mild to moderate impairment in work-related activities.
- Good to fair interpersonal relations.
- Poor involvement in recreational activities and mild impairment in sexual activity enjoyment.
- Global social adjustment rated as poor by both patients and clinicians.
Conclusions:
- Formally diagnosed TRD patients exhibit substantial psychosocial functioning deficits.
- A tendency for more severe global ratings compared to specific functional areas was observed.
- Findings highlight the pervasive impact of TRD on daily life and social integration.