BACKGROUND: Many women discontinue antidepressants (ADs) when trying to conceive, although risk of depressive relapse is high. We examined the feasibility and potential clinical effect of cognitive behavioral therapy for the prevention of recurrence (CBT-PR) for women with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) who planned to discontinue maintenance AD treatment for pregnancy. METHODS: This was an open preliminary study of CBT-PR in women (N = 12) planning or early in pregnancy with remitted MDD on maintenance ADs with a plan to discontinue ADs for pregnancy. Participants received 12 sessions of CBT-PR during the acute phase and optional monthly booster sessions during follow-up. Participants were assessed monthly during the acute phase and then twice additionally during follow-up by an independent rater using mood scales (depression module of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale); pregnancy status was also assessed. RESULTS: Over the 24 weeks of the trial, 75% (n = 9) of participants did not restart ADs and did not relapse to depression. Of the 3 who reintroduced AD, 2 experienced a depressive relapse, whereas one did not meet full criteria for MDD. Adherence to the intervention was very good with all participants completing all therapy sessions and assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive behavioral therapy for the prevention of recurrence seems feasible and may provide protection for women with recurrent depression on ADs who discontinue their medication while trying to conceive. The extent to which euthymia is sustainable with CBT-PR requires further study; the results of which may broaden treatment choices for women in anticipation of and during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND: Many women discontinue antidepressants (ADs) when trying to conceive, although risk of depressive relapse is high. We examined the feasibility and potential clinical effect of cognitive behavioral therapy for the prevention of recurrence (CBT-PR) for women with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) who planned to discontinue maintenance AD treatment for pregnancy. METHODS: This was an open preliminary study of CBT-PR in women (N = 12) planning or early in pregnancy with remitted MDD on maintenance ADs with a plan to discontinue ADs for pregnancy. Participants received 12 sessions of CBT-PR during the acute phase and optional monthly booster sessions during follow-up. Participants were assessed monthly during the acute phase and then twice additionally during follow-up by an independent rater using mood scales (depression module of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale); pregnancy status was also assessed. RESULTS: Over the 24 weeks of the trial, 75% (n = 9) of participants did not restart ADs and did not relapse to depression. Of the 3 who reintroduced AD, 2 experienced a depressive relapse, whereas one did not meet full criteria for MDD. Adherence to the intervention was very good with all participants completing all therapy sessions and assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive behavioral therapy for the prevention of recurrence seems feasible and may provide protection for women with recurrent depression on ADs who discontinue their medication while trying to conceive. The extent to which euthymia is sustainable with CBT-PR requires further study; the results of which may broaden treatment choices for women in anticipation of and during pregnancy.
Authors: Carol Louik; Angela E Lin; Martha M Werler; Sonia Hernández-Díaz; Allen A Mitchell Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2007-06-28 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Tim F Oberlander; Shaila Misri; Colleen E Fitzgerald; Xanthoula Kostaras; Dan Rurak; Wayne Riggs Journal: J Clin Psychiatry Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 4.384
Authors: Christina D Chambers; Sonia Hernandez-Diaz; Linda J Van Marter; Martha M Werler; Carol Louik; Kenneth Lyons Jones; Allen A Mitchell Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2006-02-09 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Emma Maund; Beth Stuart; Michael Moore; Christopher Dowrick; Adam W A Geraghty; Sarah Dawson; Tony Kendrick Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2019-01 Impact factor: 5.166