Pharmacotherapy and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Patient With Lifelong Self-Doubt and Self-Criticism.
Albert Yeung, Guy Sapirstein, Laura D Crain, Margaret A Cramer, Fernando Espí Forcén
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry April 5, 2023 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.23ct14798 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Clinical case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Patient with treatment-resistant depression and persistent self-criticism |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Key findings | Persistent self-criticism may predispose patients with treatment-resistant depression to unrelenting symptoms, intense anger, self-doubt, and self-disapproval. |
Abstract
Although consensus in the field is lacking, the most common definition for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) requires a minimum of 2 prior treatment failures with confirmed adequate dose and duration. This article presents a clinical example of TRD in a patient with a long history of depression and inadequate response to treatment. The prominent feature is the patient's persistent self-criticism that might have predisposed him to unrelenting depression symptoms, intense anger, self-doubt, and self-disapproval. We explore potential underlying causes for self-criticism, its impact on depression and help-seeking, and plausible treatment approaches.