Trajectory and treatment stages of an episode of major depression. Varying definitions exist for the duration of each phase of depression (eg, remission, recovery) and stage of treatment (eg, acute, continuation, maintenance). Response is a clinically meaningful reduction of depressive symptoms, often defined as an improvement in symptom score of ≥50% that is still above the threshold for remission. Remission is the reduction of symptoms below the threshold for a diagnosis of major depression that is maintained for at least 2 months. Recovery occurs with the stable maintenance of no to minimal symptoms for a longer period of time. Relapse is the return of depressive symptoms prior to recovery. Recurrence is the onset of a new episode of major depression after recovery has occurred.
From: Kupfer DJ, Long-term treatment of depression, The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Volume 52, Pages 28-34, 1991. Copyright 1991, Physicians Postgraduate Press. Reprinted by permission.
