What treatment-resistant depression actually means.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a clinical diagnosis given when depression does not improve after trying at least two different antidepressant medications at adequate doses for an adequate period of time.
It is not a sign that your depression is untreatable. It means that the treatments you've tried work on serotonin and dopamine pathways — and your brain may need a different approach.
- Affects an estimated one-third of people with major depressive disorder.
- Defined clinically as inadequate response to two or more antidepressants.
- Can persist for years despite consistent treatment attempts.
- Often accompanied by significant impact on work, relationships, and daily functioning.