Related Experiment Videos
Adjunctive imipramine in substance-abusing dysphoric schizophrenic patients
S G Siris1, S E Mason, P C Bermanzohn
1Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY 11004.
Psychopharmacology Bulletin
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Adjunctive antidepressant medication shows promise for treating substance-abusing schizophrenic patients with dysphoria. This study explored the benefits of these treatments in a specific patient group, yielding favorable initial results.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Previous studies indicated tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) benefit schizophrenic patients with post-psychotic depression and substance-abusing non-schizophrenic patients.
- The efficacy of TCAs in comorbid substance-abusing schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients with dysphoria remained unaddressed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant medication in treating substance-abusing schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients experiencing dysphoria.
- To provide preliminary data on the acute treatment of this specific patient population.
Main Methods:
- Conducted carefully controlled adjunctive antidepressant trials.
- Included 11 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and comorbid substance abuse with dysphoria.
Main Results:
- The acute treatment trial demonstrated favorable outcomes for at least some of the participating individuals.
- Results suggest potential benefits of adjunctive antidepressant therapy in this complex patient group.
Conclusions:
- Adjunctive antidepressant medication may be a viable treatment option for substance-abusing schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients with dysphoria.
- Findings support existing models for understanding this clinical presentation and warrant further investigation.