Major challenges in youth psychopathology: treatment-resistant depression. A narrative review.
Frontiers in psychiatry January 1, 2024 Giulia Menculini, Gianmarco Cinesi, Francesca Scopetta et al. 10 citations
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a major health issue in adolescents and young adults, causing high disability and impairing functioning. Its clinical presentation can differ from that in adults, and standard antidepressant treatments often yield suboptimal responses. About 40% of youths with MDD experience treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which is linked to higher rates of comorbid conditions and suicidality. Various biological, environmental, and clinical factors contribute to TRD, which may also signal an unrecognized bipolar disorder, complicating diagnosis. This review summarizes evidence on TRD's epidemiology and clinical features in this age group and discusses possible treatments, including novel fast-acting antidepressants. These drugs show promise but require careful risk-benefit assessment within integrated care models.