The road to recovery from depression--don't drive today with yesterday's map.

The issue of recovery is getting increasing attention in depression research, particularly after the publication of the STAR*D results. The paper analyzes some issues which may hinder effective treatment of major depressive disorders: the inadequacies of a cross-sectional DSM assessment without clinical differentiation of the extent, development and seriousness of the disturbances (staging); over-emphasis on and prolongation of drug treatment, without paying attention to problems related to tolerance; neglect of the active role of the patient in achieving recovery, with the integration of psychotherapeutic strategies in a sequential model. If we are able to remove the conceptual obstacles which obstruct our view of depression and silence the sound of propaganda, we may then become aware of a different scenario in mood disorders and be able to develop therapeutic strategies of enduring quality.