Preventing Recurrent Depression: Long-Term Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder

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Major depressive disorder (MDD)is potentially a long-term or evenlifelong illness for many patients,and maintenance therapy is designedto prevent relapse in patients with recurrentdepression who have achievedremission. Patients who have residualsymptoms, ongoing psychosocialstressors, or comorbid illnesses areamong the suitable candidates formaintenance treatment. In the followingdiscussion, experts in the treatmentof depression address topicsrelevant to maintenance treatment:length of treatment, pharmacotherapydosage, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsivetherapy (ECT).