Psychiatria pre prax 6/2006

THE INTRODUCTION TO THE BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF RESISTANT DEPRESSION

Depressive disorder is relatively common disease in population. Lifetime prevalence of major depression is 5–12% in men and 9–26% in women. Approximately 30% of patients treated with first antidepressants achieve remission. The resistant depression is commonly defined as depression which was unsuccessfully treated by 2 antidepressants from various groups. The authors comment possibilities of resistant depression treatment (change of antidepressants, augmentation and combination of antidepressants, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy etc.).

Keywords: resistant depressive disorder, definition, treatment.