Strategies and tactics in the management of maintenance treatment for depressed patients.

This article focuses on the strategies and tactics in the clinical management of maintenance treatment for depressed patients. The phases of treatment, indications for maintenance treatment, steps necessary to prepare patients for maintenance treatment (e.g., attaining optimal symptomatic control, providing knowledge, and developing a constructive attitude toward chronic disease management), teaching patients to measure symptoms during treatment, and clinical tips for managing symptomatic "blips" and recurrences during maintenance treatment are discussed.