In depressive disorder the recurrence is defined as the appearance of a new depressive episode which occurs after a prolonged recovery period (6 -12 months) with state of eutimia (relatively normal mood).
The appearance of recurrence It implies the need for a new therapeutic treatment and a review of the patient’s clinical history. The literature shows that the risk of recurrence is more likely if the symptoms are not completely resolved with the therapeutic treatment.
The study conducted by Jordan et al. (Acute and Chronic Stress Exposure Predicts 1 Years Recurrence in Adult Outpatients with Residual Depression Sympoms Following Response to Treatment), published in January 2014 in the magazine Depression and Anxiety support this hypothesis.
In fact, researchers argue that one of the strongest predictors of recidivism In subjects who have passed the depression with a therapeutic treatment is constituted by the presence of some Residual depressive symptoms. That is, the substantial presence of residual symptoms is correlated with greater risk of depressive repercussions in individuals who find themselves having to face acute stressful events in their lives.
The objective of the research, which involved 68 subjects (aged between 18 and 60, of which 42 females) who had concluded a treatment with Cognitive behavioral therapyinterpersonal or with antidepressant drugs for the major depressionit was to examine as stressful life events could induce repercussions in those subjects who still had depressive symptoms residual follow-up.
It emerged that control of depressive symptoms to follow-up is very important to prevent any repercussions and recurrence even after overcoming the major depression.
