What is “Treatment Resistant Depression”?
A person has treatment resistant depression if they continue to experience the symptoms of depression even though they are being treated with antidepressant medication.
Who is the clinic for?
The clinic is able to assess and, in some cases, manage the treatment of adults (over 18 years of age) with “treatment resistant depression” who are willing to consider being involved in research studies.
What will happen at the clinic?
If you contact the clinic then we will arrange for you to speak to a research assistant over the phone at a time that is convenient to you. The purpose of this telephone call is to check whether the clinic is likely to be able to help you, we will hopefully also be able to answer any questions you have about the clinic.
If, after this telephone call, it seems likely that the clinic will be able to help you then we will arrange a time for you to be seen by a doctor in the clinic. This visit will take about 1.5 hours. The purpose of this visit is for the doctor to understand the difficulties you are experiencing, to discuss with you the possible treatments we have available and whether you would be interested in participating in any of the studies we are running.
After this visit we will send an assessment letter to both you and your GP which will include any recommendations we have about your treatment. If you are enrolled into a study at this point then we will be able to continue seeing you, if you are not enrolled in a study then we will not be able to go on seeing you, although with your permission, we can contact you in the future if a study that might be helpful to you begins.
What does the clinic offer?
If you are seen in the clinic you will be assessed by a doctor who is an expert in the treatment of depression. You will be sent a copy of the assessment letter, which will also be sent to your GP and which will include recommendations for treatment.
Do I need a referral letter from my GP or psychiatrist to be seen in the clinic?
You do not need a referral letter from your doctor, you can contact the clinic yourself (details below). If you are currently receiving specialist treatment from a psychiatrist or other mental health professional for you low mood we need to contact your treating clinician before seeing you.
What is not offered by the clinic?
The clinic is not an emergency service, so if you need urgent treatment you should contact your GP, your psychiatric team (if you are under their care) or attend A&E. The clinic is not able to offer specialised psychological treatments (although we can direct you to services which do offer psychological treatments) or help with benefits or problems with addiction.
Do I need to agree to be involved in a research study now?
You do not have to agree to be involved in a research study now. However our clinic is paid for by ongoing research studies, not by the NHS. This means that we can only see people who are willing to consider being involved in research. It may be that, when you hear about the studies, you would prefer not to be involved or that the studies we are running at moment wouldn’t suit you; this, of course, is perfectly all right.
How do I contact the clinic?
You can email the clinic at: oxfordhealth.trdclinic@nhs.net or telephone on: 01865 902135.
Where is the clinic?
The clinic is held in the Warneford Hospital in Headington, Oxford. OX3 7JX.
