The use of cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of resistant depression in adolescents

se of cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of resistant depression in adolescents Review (1651) Total Article Views Authors: Hamill-Skoch SK, Hicks P, Prieto-Hicks X Published Date September 2012 Volume 2012:3 Pages 95 - 104 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/AHMT.S13781 Received: 20 December 2011 Accepted: 27 June 2012 Published: 10 September 2012 Sarah Hamill-Skoch,1 Paul Hicks,2 Ximena Prieto-Hicks1 1Department of Psychiatry, 2Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ, USA Abstract: Major depressive disorder often begins in adolescence, is chronic and recurrent, and heightens an individual's risk for major depressive disorder in adulthood. Treatment-resistant depression is a problem for a significant minority of adolescents. Few studies have examined treatments for treatment-resistant depression among adolescents, and even fewer have examined the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy as a monotherapy or in combination with pharmacological treatments. Mental health professionals have a strong interest in understanding what treatments are appropriate for adolescents who are treatment resistant. Preliminary evidence from current published trials indicates that the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy in combination with antidepressant medication yields the best outcome for treatment-resistant depression in adolescents. Secondary analyses also suggest that the utility of cognitive behavioral therapy can be increased by ensuring adolescents receive a therapeutic dose of treatment sessions (more than nine sessions) and the inclusion of two treatment components: social skills and problem solving training. Guidelines for clinicians as well as areas for future research are discussed.