Remission has become the goal of treatment in depression, not only in clinical trials
but in clinical practice as well. Treatment must be sufficient in dosage and in duration
and tailored to the needs of each patient in order in order to achieve remission. Patients who
reach remission not only enjoy the obvious benefits of decreased disability and improved
functioning in work, family, and social life, they also have a lower risk of relapse and disease
progression. Long-term pharmacologic or psychosocial treatment can also prevent the
recurrence of depression.
Depression is twice as prevalent in women as in men. Clinical trial data in subpopulations
of women are increasingly available, allowing for better treatment options for women with
depression across the life cycle. In this educational activity, prominent psychiatrists discuss
remission and relapse, as well as treatments specifically tailored for women.’ ‹