Treatment resistant depression nearly always requires fresh eyes to evaluate the current evaluation of a person’s diagnosis, the exact components of treatment, the history, and the perspectives of the man or woman being treated. For example, many psychiatrists and physicians are not well-versed in psychological treatments for trauma such as EMDR. As a result, sometimes depression is treated medically when the real cause of the depression is a post traumatic stress syndrome. Once the traumatic memories are resolved in therapy, the treatment resistant depression lifts.
Having said that, there are also cases of treatment resistant depression that stump everyone. Our understanding of treatment resistant depression reflects our understanding of the human brain. Today there is so much new and exciting brain research that it is tempting to be a little heady with all that we now know about the brain. However, I believe we know very little compared to what is waiting to be discovered.
Imagine two young boys building sand castles at the beach. They are having a serious discussion about what is under the surface of the ocean. How much do they know about the ocean compared to what there is to know? This is the picture that comes to my mind when I think about our current knowledge of the brain.
The upshot is that if you are suffering from a treatment resistant depression, keep looking for answers. Get second and third opinions. Sometimes a talented clinician will have a hunch that will only be validated by research years in the future.