treatment-resistant
Describing mental health conditions that do not respond adequately to standard therapeutic interventions.
Full Definition
Treatment-resistant refers to psychiatric conditions or symptoms that fail to improve significantly despite adequate trials of appropriate, evidence-based treatments. This typically means that a patient has not achieved satisfactory response after trying multiple medications at therapeutic doses for sufficient duration, or has not benefited from established psychotherapeutic approaches. Treatment resistance may be due to various factors including biological variations, comorbid conditions, psychosocial stressors, medication adherence issues, or misdiagnosis. Recognition of treatment resistance often leads to consideration of alternative interventions, specialist referral, or innovative treatment approaches.
Usage
Usage note: Implies adequate trials of standard treatments, not simply poor response to single intervention.
In Context
- "The treatment-resistant depression required consideration of electroconvulsive therapy." — Consultation report
- "After three failed medication trials, the case was classified as treatment-resistant schizophrenia." — Clinical documentation