Importance of Restoring Function in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Patients with depression experience symptoms that hinder their ability to function at home, at work, and in social settings. Even when mood symptoms improve, patients' function may not return to normal. Clinicians must make restoration of function a treatment goal along with symptom remission. Rating scales that assess function can help clinicians monitor areas such as work performance, role fulfillment, social activities, and more. The process of treating functional impairments will take time and may require specific interventions, but patients will feel "recovered" only when these areas are restored.