[Therapy refractory depression--causes and treatment possibilities]

Despite the advances in the treatment of depression, 10 to 30% of all depressions remain--depending on the definition of the term--refractory to treatment. Having clarified possible causes such as wrong diagnosis, poor compliance, inadequate treatment, drug interactions and psychological factors, various treatment methods can be applied. However it is necessary to know not only the efficacy but also the side effects and contraindications of these methods.