[Drug treatment of depression]

Depression is a frequent disorder, with a one-year prevalence rate ranging between 5 and 15%, according to studies in the general population. Its medical, social, and economic consequences make it a major public health problem. Depression is a recurrent disorder: 50% of patients have a recurrence within 2 years and 75% over a longer term. In 20% of cases the depression becomes chronic. The objective of antidepressant therapy is to obtain a complete remission of symptoms. Treatment of an episode of major depression takes place in two stages: acute treatment for 2-3 months; followed by consolidation treatment for 4-5 months. Continuation of antidepressant treatment after return to an asymptomatic condition (consolidation treatment) is necessary to prevent relapses in the short term and recurrences in the long term.