We all know what we mean by treatment-resistant depression - don't we?

Abstract

Although in common use, treatment-resistant depression is unhelpful both conceptually and practically. In this issue a new term, multiple-therapy-resistant major depressive disorder, is proposed; although it may be useful in guiding treatment options for patients with persisting depression, it should not be an automatic trigger for further, more invasive treatments.Declaration of interestsI.M.A. has been a consultant for pharmaceutical companies developing and marketing antidepressants and has been an author on publications that have used the term treatment-resistant depression.

Keywords: Antidepressants; depressive disorders; diagnosis; nosology; placebo.