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Chronic depression
1Section of Affective Disorders, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Chronic depression, including residual major depression and dysthymia, is now recognized as a distinct diagnosis. Pharmacotherapy and supportive therapies offer effective treatment options for patients previously considered refractory.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Recent research allows reclassification of personality disorders as chronic depression.
- The American Psychiatric Association recognizes residual major depression and dysthymia as subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish the clinical legitimacy of chronic depression.
- Summarize research efforts in understanding and treating chronic depression.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent research findings.
- Clinical observation and treatment of patients with chronic depression.
Main Results:
- Clinicians can now reclassify many patients from personality disorders to chronic depression.
- Pharmacotherapy with thymoleptic agents effectively treats selected chronically depressed patients.
- Supportive psychotherapy and psychoeducation enhance pharmacotherapy outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Chronic depression is a clinically valid diagnosis with recognized subtypes.
- A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutic/psychoeducational approaches improves treatment efficacy for chronic depression.