Section I: Current Perspectives in the Treatment of Depression

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 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.’ ‹