Prevention of Recurrence in Depression With Drugs and CT

CT sessions occur weekly during acute treatment and monthly during continuation. Acute treatment may last up to 18 months. Remitted patients are continued on medication for up to 36 months from initial randomization until they meet criteria for recovery. At recovery, patients receiving combined treatment discontinue CT.

Antidepressant medication is distributed as clinically indicated with augmentation and ancillary medications as needed. Acute treatment may last up to 18 months. Remitted patients are continued on medication for up to 36 months from the point of initial randomization until they meet criteria for recovery. All recovered patients are randomized a second time to either maintenance medication or medication withdrawal. Patients are then monitored over 36 months to ascertain risk for recurrence of depressive symptoms.