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Depression, Delusions, and Drug Response
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|July 1, 1975
Summary
Delusional depression patients show poor response to tricyclic antidepressants. Nondelusional patients responded better, suggesting tricyclic drugs are ineffective for delusional depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Tricyclic antidepressants are commonly used for depression.
- The efficacy of these drugs in subtypes of depression is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants in depressed patients with and without delusions.
Main Methods:
- A study involving depressed patients, some with delusions and some without.
- Administration of imipramine hydrochloride for four weeks.
- Comparison of response rates between the two patient groups.
Main Results:
- Only 3 of 13 delusional depressed patients responded to imipramine hydrochloride.
- 14 of 21 nondelusional depressed patients responded to the treatment.
- A significant difference in treatment response was observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Tricyclic antidepressants appear ineffective for treating delusional depression.
- Current research on depressed patients may need reevaluation.
- Alternative treatment strategies should be considered for delusional depression.