Cognitive/Behavioural Therapy and Pharmacotherapy with Chronic, Drug-Refractory Depressed Inpatients: A Note of Optimism

Several previous studies have reported that cognitive/behavioural treatments have been relatively ineffective for chronic, drug-resistant depressed patients. In the present report, six chronic, drug-resistant depressed patients were treated with an integrated program consisting of cognitive/behavioural treatment, pharmacotherapy, and short term hospitalization. The obtained improvement rates were substantially better than previous studies. Potential explanations for these findings are discussed.