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Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222)
• difficulty stopping antidepressants. [2022] [2022]
1.8.4 If a person chooses not to continue antidepressant medication for relapse
prevention, advise them:
• how to stop their antidepressant medication (see the recommendations on stopping
antidepressant medication) and and
• to seek help as soon as possible if the symptoms of depression return or residual
symptoms worsen. [2022] [2022]
1.8.5 For people who have remitted from depression when treated with
antidepressant medication alone, but who have been assessed as being at higher
risk of relapse, consider:
• continuing with their antidepressant medication to prevent relapse, maintaining the
dose that led to full or partial remission, unless there is good reason to reduce it (such
as side effects) or or
• a course of psychological therapy (group CBT or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
[MBCT]) for people who do not wish to continue on antidepressants (follow the
recommendations on stopping antidepressants) or or
• continuing with their antidepressant medication and a course of psychological therapy
(group CBT or MBCT). [2022] [2022]
1.8.6 For people starting group CBT or MBCT for relapse prevention, offer a course of
therapy with an explicit focus on the development of relapse prevention skills
and what is needed to stay well. This usually consists of 8 sessions over 2 to
3 months with the option of additional sessions in the next 12 months. [2022] [2022]
1.8.7 Relapse prevention components of psychological interventions may include:
• reviewing what lessons and insights were learnt in therapy and what was helpful in
therapy
• making concrete plans to maintain progress beyond the end of therapy including plans
to consolidate any changes made to stay well and to continue to practice useful
strategies
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