Course: Depression in Focus: Addressing Residual Symptoms for Functional Recovery
CME Credits: 0.00
Released: 2025-09-02
In major depressive disorder (MDD) care, starting treatment isn’t the finish line: it’s the first critical choice on a long road to healing. For many patients, relief from the most severe symptoms gives way to quieter, persistent struggles. Emotional blunting, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep disturbances often go unspoken and unaddressed, gradually eroding functionality, relationships, and quality of life. Psychiatric nurses are often the first to hear when something still feels “off,” even after a depressive episode appears to have lifted. Yet challenges remain in recognizing and distinguishing residual symptoms from medication side effects, knowing when to adjust treatment, and approaching these conversations in a way that honors patients’ preferences and needs. These challenges are magnified in minority and underserved communities, where disparities in access, communication, and cultural understanding further compromise care. This case-based activity brings the clinical and emotional complexity of MDD to life through illustrated comic panels and patient scenarios. Brooke Kempf, PMHNP-BC and George Papakostas, MD will use the stories of 2 patients to explore how to assess antidepressant benefit-risk profiles, manage residual symptoms, and provide culturally responsive care that supports full, equitable recovery.
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
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