My Antidepressant Doesnt Work. What Can My Psychiatrist Do?
Maria has been increasingly depressed for the past few years. She has tried at least four newer antidepressants but so far, she doesn t seem to respond. Unable to work, she s now feeling helpless and hopeless. Likewise, her family is discouraged. Frustrated and baffled by Maria s lack of progress, the family doctor refers her to a psychiatrist. What can the psychiatrist do to help Maria? The psychiatrist has several options in dealing with a treatment-resistant or refractory depression. First, Maria s psychiatrist can optimize the dose of her antidepressant. Maria has been taking low doses of antidepressants. In spite of her lack of response, the medication dosage has not been increased. To obtain a clinical response, her psychiatrist should increase the dose every two to three weeks. The antidepressant can be adjusted up to the maximum allowable dose if no or only partial response is observed. Second, her psychiatrist can choose to augment the effect of her antidepressant with another
Maria has been increasingly depressed for the past few years. She has tried at least four newer antidepressants but so far, she doesnt seem to respond. Unable to work, shes now feeling helpless and hopeless. Likewise, her family is discouraged. Frustrated and baffled by Marias lack of progress, the family doctor refers her to a psychiatrist. What can the psychiatrist do to help Maria? The psychiatrist has several options in dealing with a treatment-resistant or refractory depression. First, Marias psychiatrist can optimize the dose of her antidepressant. Maria has been taking low doses of antidepressants. In spite of her lack of response, the medication dosage has not been increased. To obtain a clinical response, her psychiatrist should increase the dose every two to three weeks. The antidepressant can be adjusted up to the maximum allowable dose if no or only partial response is observed. Second, her psychiatrist can choose to augment the effect of her antidepressant with another med
Six effective ways to deal with treatment-resistant depression. Maria has been increasingly depressed for the past few years. She has tried at least four newer antidepressants but so far, she doesnt seem to respond. Unable to work, shes now feeling helpless and hopeless. Likewise, her family is discouraged. Frustrated and baffled by Marias lack of progress, the family doctor refers her to a psychiatrist. What can the psychiatrist do to help Maria? The psychiatrist has several options in dealing with a treatment-resistant or refractory depression. First, Marias psychiatrist can optimize the dose of her antidepressant. Maria has been taking low doses of antidepressants. In spite of her lack of response, the medication dosage has not been increased. To obtain a clinical response, her psychiatrist should increase the dose every two to three weeks. The antidepressant can be adjusted up to the maximum allowable dose if no or only partial response is observed. Second, her psychiatrist can cho
