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Discontinuation of antidepressants after successful treatment of recurrent depression causes relapse in many patients. In a randomized, controlled trial, researchers evaluated the 18-month effectiveness of three maintenance approaches — mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), continued antidepressant monotherapy, and pill placebo plus clinical management. Of 160 patients with recurrent depression who received open-label, two-step antidepressant monotherapy, 84 achieved remission in at least 7 months and entered the maintenance phase. Remission before randomization was labeled as stable (n=41 patients) or unstable (i.e., patients had frequent symptom flurries before finally remitting; n=43).
Mindfulness skills, taught in eight weekly 2-ho…