BMJ 1999;318:1188-1191 ( 1 May )

Clinical review

Fortnightly review

Drug treatment of depression

Olav Spigset, consultant, ^a Björn Mårtensson, senior lecturer. ^b

^a Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Regional and University Hospital, N-7006 Trondheim, Norway, ^b Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden

Correspondence to: Dr Spigset olav.spigset@relis.rit.no

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Depression is a considerable mental health problem. It is often unrecognised or not properly treated and so causes distress, social impairment, and increased risk of mortality for the individual as well as large costs for society. However, several efficient treatments and strategies exist, of which antidepressant drugs are a main choice.

Table Removed (Available Only in the Full Text)

	Methods

This article is based on a review of recent research on the use of antidepressants in depression. Central research papers and authoritative, comprehensive, and recent reviews are cited.¹ In areas of uncertainty, we make suggestions based on personal experience.

	General considerations

Most patients with major depression (box)² are best treated with a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy. Some patients with mild to moderate major depression may be helped by supportive care, problem solving, or specific psychotherapy such as cognitive therapy alone. However, the fact that the symptoms seem to be a reaction to environmental factors does not preclude drug treatment per . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

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