However, these treatments alone arent sufficient to improve depressive symptoms in certain individuals.
When this occurs, its known astreatment-resistant depression.
Thecauses behind treatment-resistant depression arent clearbut current studies have shown potential risk factors.
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These include brain and body risk factors, family history and genetics, and lifestyle factors.
Other Underlying Health Issues
Depression can be comorbid with certain physical conditions.
Some studies have even found treatment-resistant depression to be a risk factor for developing other mental health conditions.
Researchers in Sweden examined 121,699 patients between the ages of 18 and 69 with a diagnosis ofmajor depressive disorder.
One study examined the blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid of 33 participants with treatment-resistant depression.
Research studying the link between genetic predisposition and treatment-resistant depression is still in its infancy.
However, findings have identified certain biomarkers that put individuals at a higher risk of treatment-resistant depression.
Further empirical data is required to determine which treatments are appropriate for those with these biomarkers.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Some lifestyle factors can put you at risk for treatment-resistant depression.
Misdiagnosis
Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is a common occurrence with mental health conditions.
This can be due to symptoms overlapping with several possible diagnoses, which occurs frequently with mental disorders.
One study of 309 patients with severe psychiatric disorders found that nearly 40% were misdiagnosed.
Furthermore, individuals withbipolar disorderare often misdiagnosed with a depressive disorder.
Problems With Medication
Antidepressantscan takeup to six weeks to work.
Individuals often stop taking a drug too early, before the medication has time to take full effect.
Some people may also skip doses or stop medications prematurely due tounpleasant side effects.
Furthermore, antidepressants may interact with drugs taken for other physical or mental health conditions.
Antidepressants can also have different effects from person to person.
Diagnosis
Treatment-resistant depression is not included in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
However, many mental health professionals consider this diagnosis when there have been at least two failed treatment attempts.
Its important to speak to your physician or psychiatrist if current treatment methods are not providing you relief.
How to Cope With Treatment-Resistant Depression
Dealing with treatment-resistant depression can be challenging.
If you are dealing with treatment-resistant depression, heres what you could do to cope:
World Health Organization.Depression.
2019 Jul;114(7):1274-1282. doi: 10.1111/add.14596.
