Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Combination therapy refers to a treatment approach that combines two or more therapeutic interventions, such as medication and psychotherapy, to treat a specific condition. This approach is commonly used in the treatment of depression.
In the context of combination therapy for depression, medication refers to the use of antidepressant drugs to alleviate symptoms. Antidepressants work by altering brain chemistry to improve mood.
Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained therapist or counselor to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to depression. It aims at identifying underlying causes and developing coping strategies.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD): TRD refers to cases where individuals do not experience significant improvement in depressive symptoms despite receiving adequate treatment with either medication or psychotherapy alone. Combination therapy may be recommended for TRD patients.