Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Venlafaxine Is of Variable Effectiveness in Severe Major Depression, Depending on Patient Treatment Response
Udo Bonnet1,2
1Department of Mental Health, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Castrop-Rauxel, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Castrop-Rauxel.
Objective:
The importance of contextual factors, such as the patient treatment response expectation for the effectiveness of antidepressants (AD), in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) is still underestimated.
Methods:
This is a report on the surprising course of treatment of a 47-year-old woman suffering from severe melancholic MDD with pronounced somatic symptoms.
Results:
The first attempt at treatment with venlafaxine (300 mg/d) failed. During this treatment, the patient was not yet convinced of the effectiveness of an AD for her illness. She did not believe that she had MDD at all. In a second pharmacological treatment period, venlafaxine (150 mg/d) worked excellently. In a special psychoeducative run-up to this second treatment, the patient was able to gain a deeper understanding that she was indeed suffering from MDD. Now she could consider the possibility that AD might be helpful against her severe complaints ("experienced insight").
Conclusion:
The role of treatment response expectation should be given greater consideration in the event of nonresponse to medication.
More Related Videos
08:15Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model
Published on: June 6, 2025
04:33Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy