To study the clinical - psychopathological characteristics of patients with resistant depression.

We examined 96 patients aged 18–48 years (mean age 34.7 0 ± 1.0 years). The investigated patients were divided into two groups: 1st -TRD with positive affectivity - 59 (61.4%); 2nd - curable depression - 37 (38.6 %). Selection of patients was made according to following criteria: ICD - 10: (F31) - bipolar disorder; (F32) - depressive episode; (F33) - recurrent depressive disorder.

In group 1 patients received amitriptyline (TCA) - 50 mg - 2 times/day in one of 2 consecutive courses (within 6 weeks) and they showed no clinical benefit. In group 2 patients received amitriptyline - 50 mg 2 times/day for 2 consecutive courses. When analyzing the number of depressive episodes the statistically greater number was observed 1-3 episodes in group 2 - in 45.9% of patients than in group 1 - 16.9%, predominant 5-8 episodes - in 44.1% of patients in group 1, than in group 2 - 13.5%. Remissions, observed in group 2, were characterized by longer duration and have a higher quality than in patients of group 1. There is a tendency to shorten remission especially in group 1.

The highest correlation dependence showed such factors as: frequency of depressive episodes, duration of episode 1, severity of depressive episode 1, quality of remission after depressive episode 1, number of responders at early stages of antidepressant therapy of I-st attack.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.