In Practice

A Practicing Doctor's Views on Psychiatry and Contemporary Culture.

Peter D. Kramer is a psychiatrist and author. His books include Against Depression and Listening to Prozac. See full bio

August 25, 2008, Depression

Comments on "To Treat or Not to Treat: The Debate Over Residual Symptoms of Depression"

To Treat or Not to Treat: The Debate Over Residual Symptoms of Depression

By Peter D. Kramer on August 25, 2008 in In Practice

How vigorously should we treat mood disorder? A new study of depression in bipolar patients shows that even low-level symptoms can be disabling. Read More

Curing Depression

Submitted by Wendy Aron on August 25, 2008 - 7:24am.

I can't believe that people who are functioning outside of a hospital setting have a functional burden equivalent to those who are hospitalized. That having been said, I don't believe it's ever possible to totally "cure" depression and relieve a patient of all depressive symptoms. At best, a depressive can experience a sustained remission with therapy and the proper meds that allows her to function in work and social settings.

Wendy Aron, author of Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness
http://www.wendyaron.com