Major depressive disorder: Validated treatments and future challenges

Abstract

Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that often leads to poor quality of life and impaired functioning. Treatment during the acute phase of a major depressive episode aims to help the patient reach a remission state and eventually return to their baseline level of functioning. Pharmacotherapy, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants, remains the most frequent option for treating depression during the acute phase, while other promising pharmacological options are still competing for the attention of practitioners. Depression-focused psychotherapy is the second most common option for helping patients overcome the acute phase, maintain remission, and prevent relapses. Electroconvulsive therapy is the most effective somatic therapy for depression in some specific situations; meanwhile, other methods have limits, and their specific indications are still being studied. Combining medications, psychotherapy, and somatic therapies remains the most effective way to manage resistant forms of depression.

Effectiveness of online cognitive behavioural therapy on quality of life in adults with depression: A systematic review

“…Compared to traditional psychotherapy, iCBT is associated with lower costs and a lower level of patient fear of seeking help (Webb et al, 2017). Using iCBT may be especially beneficial for individuals with limited access to specialized care (Karrouri et al, 2021). Approximately 20%-30% of young adults experiencing significant depressive symptoms do not seek treatment and do not function well in their daily lives (Choi et al, 2019).…”

“…Symptoms associated with MDD such as loss of interest, low mood, lack of energy, poor concentration and psychomotor retardation contribute to the social, occupational and cognitive impairments that affect the QoL (Shumye et al, 2019). The optimal treatment outcome of MDD has been recognized as remission of depressive symptoms and improved psychosocial functioning (Cho et al, 2019; Karrouri et al, 2021). Better QoL outcomes are found to be associated with improved adherence and response to treatment in individuals with MDD (Cho et al, 2019).…”

Yin-Yang 1, a player regulated systematic inflammatory involved in cognitive impairment of depression

“…Major depressive disorder (MDD), is a severe affective disorder characterized by a group of symptoms including persistent low mood, worthlessness or guilt, anhedonia, inattention, changes in appetite, mental slow movement or agitation, sleep disturbance, or suicidal thoughts, imposing a heavy social burden (Karrouri et al, 2021). Depression is often accompanied by the clinical symptom of cognitive impairment, which resulting in a decline in quality of life and psychosocial function (Frampton, 2016).…”

Development and Validation of a Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Bupropion and Dextromethorphan Using Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Form

“…"Dextromethorphan and its major metabolite, dextrorphan, also block the NMDA receptor [14] at high doses, which produces effects similar to other dissociative anesthetics such as ketamine, nitrous oxide, and phencyclidine". "Bupropion, sold under the brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban among others, is an atypical antidepressant" [15] "primarily used to treat major depressive disorder" [16,17] and "to support smoking cessation" [18,19]. " Bupropion has several features that distinguish it from other antidepressants: it does not usually cause sexual dysfunction [20]; it is not associated with weight gain and sleepiness" [21], "and it is more effective than SSRIs at improving symptoms of hypersomnia [22,23] and fatigue".…”