[Pharmacological treatment of neurotic depressions]

Neurotic depression covers all forms triggered by exogenous factors, often in conjuction with an underlying personality disposition, and includes reactive, exhaustion and neurotic depression. A feeling of sadness and loss of affection is generally present, together with anxiety provoked by insecurity and apprehension. The complexity of the picture makes treatment of the overall situation difficult with one drug only. For this reason, a series of 25 patients aged 31 to 67 yr with syndromes classifiable as neurotic depression were treated with 2 to 6 daily administrations of an association of 25 nortryptiline and 1 mg trifluoperazine. Analysis of the behaviour of a number of target symptoms showed the effectiveness of the association. There were virtually no side-effects. Success was obtained in the management of anxiety, loss of appetite, depression, irritability, weeping, failure to adapt, and remissiveness, especially in the first week of treatment.