Depression and partial remission after short-term treatment

Abstract

Residual symptoms of depression after psychiatric treatment are strong predictors of early relapses. The initial treatment process should therefore be effective enough to prevent such symptoms. We conducted a 3-month follow-up study to determine what factors prevented clear alleviation of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score of <10 at follow-up and a BDI score decrease of at least 30%) in 45 patients treated in specialized psychiatric outpatient care. All of the patients had a DSM-III-R depressive disorder. Fifty-six per cent showed signs of partial remission after 12 weeks of treatment. Those showing signs of partial remission did not differ from those having recovered in terms of sociodemographic or clinical (including BDI score) variables at base line. Certain life events occurring during treatment were associated with partial remission. Those who recovered were more satisfied with their therapy process than those experiencing partial remission, and their life satisfaction was greater, but this could have been a result of alleviation of their depression. Patients who do not respond to treatment should be carefully re-evaluated to discover possible new stressful life events.