Rapidity of symptom reduction in depressions treated with amitriptyline.
A group of depressed women treated with amitriptyline was studied with particular attention to the speed of response in different symptoms of depression and in psychotic as compared to neurotic depressives.  The findings showed rapid improvement in suicidal feelings, insomnia, and anorexia, but slower and more gradual improvement in impaired work and interests, retardation and pessimism and hopelessness.  Psychotic depressives did not show substantial improvement until the third week of treatment whereas neurotic depressives improved markedly within the first week.  It is suggested that the psychotic classification may be more useful as a predictor of speed of response than as a predictor of final treatment outcome.
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001290:Attitude; D001519:Behavior; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D000639:Amitriptyline