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Self-management and caregiver support emerged as key needs for individuals with persistent depressive disorder, highlighting gaps in current care practices.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study published in June 2025 issue of Frontiers in Psychiatry to explore the role of self-management interventions involving informal caregivers for individuals with persistent depressive disorder (PDD) – a chronic form of depression– secondary mental healthcare who did not respond adequately to standard treatments.  

They carried out individual semi-structured interviews with 28 individuals diagnosed with PDD and 9 informal caregivers to explore their self-management, coping strategies, and healthcare needs. Transcripts from the interviews were analyzed using Grounded Theory methodology, guided by 3 sensitizing concepts: PDD experience, self-management/coping, and needs, to support the development and implementation of a self-management program.  

The results showed that individuals with PDD reported 9 main themes, and informal caregivers identified 11, with 9 themes overlapping between both groups. These shared themes included powerlessness, patients’ identity changes, shame/stigma, relationship dissatisfaction, family suffering, self-management attitudes, self-management strategies, coping support, and coping complications. While individuals with PDD expressed mixed views on self-management attitudes, caregivers showed consistently positive perspectives. Both groups emphasized the need for psychoeducation and communication skills development, and caregivers expressed an urgent need for assistance in managing patients’ suicidal behavior.  

Investigators concluded that PDD imposed a significant burden on individuals and their informal caregivers. 

Source: frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1505396/full