Preventing Recurrent Depression

Abstract

Relapse and recurrence prevention are essential to improving treatments for depressed individuals. In this chapter, we describe how to reduce the likelihood of relapse by using "continuation-phase cognitive therapy" (C-CT) for adults with recurrent major depressive disorder (Jarrett, 1989; Jarrett & Kraft, 1997), and we present an overview of the conceptual and empirical foundations of C-CT. We show why many patients may benefit from C-CT; how to begin implementing this treatment to reduce relapse, and to promote remission and recovery; and why diagnostic evaluation is central in caring for patients with recurrent major depressive disorder across their lifespan. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)