The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
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Practice guidelines endorse maintenance antidepressant treatment for recurrent major depressive disorder. In the Vantaa Depression Study, we followed 218 psychiatric patients with major depressive disorder for up to 5 years with a life-chart. ⋯ Good adherence to pharmacotherapy in the acute phase independently predicted maintenance treatment. The tertiary preventive impact of maintenance treatment may remain limited, as many patients with major depressive disorder either do not receive it, or receive it for too short a period.
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Multicenter Study
Quick recovery of orientation after magnetic seizure therapy for major depressive disorder.
Magnetic seizure therapy, in which seizures are elicited with a high-frequency magnetic field, is under development as a new treatment for major depressive disorder. Its use may be justified if it produces the antidepressant effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), coupled with limited cognitive side-effects. ⋯ The new 100 Hz magnetic stimulator elicits seizures in the majority of patients when administered over the vertex. Magnetic seizure therapy was associated with shorter recovery times and less confusion following treatment. Subsequent work will be required to assess the safety and effectiveness of magnetic seizure therapy in the treatment of depression.