Depression Self-Assessment: Do I Have Hard to Treat Depression?

In order to evaluate whether you fall into the category of hard to treat depression, consider these questions:

1. I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
2. I have not been diagnosed with any other illness.
3. I have had a blood test to screen for deficiencies or abnormalities in vitamin, mineral and hormone levels.
4. I take my medication exactly as prescribed.
5. I have tried at least two antidepressants at a therapeutic dose for the prescribed amount of time.
6. I have had 16 weeks of therapy for depression.
7. I have applied what I learned in therapy in my daily life and my mood has not improved.
8. I experience no relief from my symptoms of depression.
9. I experience some relief but am still depressed and "not myself".
10. My symptoms of depression remit but then later return.

If you've answered 7 - 10 of these questions "yes" you likely fall into the category of hard to treat depression.