Video
Potential Consequences of Recurrent or Poorly Controlled MDD
Consequences attributed to poorly controlled and recurrent MDD are evaluated by Michael Rothrock, MBA, MHA, and H. Eric Cannon, PharmD, FAMCP.
Michael Rothrock, MBA, MHA: The potential consequences of recurrent or poorly controlled MDD [major depressive disorder] are going to drive potential additional health care resource utilization. That could be cognitive behavioral health, multiple physician visits, or hospitalization rates for those [whose disease is] uncontrolled. There could be development of resistance or lack of adherence because the patient isn’t seeing any benefit, doesn’t feel better, or [can’t] find a reason they need to take the drug. At the end of the day, these consequences are going to lead to poor control and limited improvement in outcomes.
H. Eric Cannon, PharmD, FAMCP: It has been a fascinating journey moving through the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. A number of people who were poorly treated to begin with suddenly had access issues getting into their physician. They felt like they were OK. However, in our emergency department, we’ve seen suicide rates and attempted suicides increase and a lot of people turn to self-medicating. The number of overdoses and things have increased at a pretty steep rate. Those consequences are severe, but we also overlook the consequences of what happens within a family. When you have a spouse who’s severely depressed, not getting treatment, or has stopped treatment, there are huge impacts in the basic social structure of their life.
Transcript edited for clarity.
