New York Long-term psychodynamic therapy was once considered the treatment of choice for chronic depressions, many of which were believed to be character disorders rather than mood disorders. Pharmacotherapy trials subsequently have demonstrated the efficacy of antidepressant medication for many chronically depressed patients. Since not all chronically depressed patients respond to, tolerate, or accept treatment with medication, the question arises whether these brief psychotherapies also provide efficacious treatment for chronic depression.
Data are limited but promising.
This presentation will review the literature and describe ongoing treatment trials that address the use of psychotherapy, alone and combined with pharmacotherapy, for the management of chronic depression. Some psychotherapies have demonstrated efficacy 1. Psychotherapy of Chronic Depression Rationale Limited research findings 1. Acute efficacy studies 2. All rights reserved.