Histories of substance abuse in patients with postpsychotic depressions.
Forty-six schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients with operationally defined episodes of postpsychotic depression were assessed for previous histories of substance abuse. Thirty-five percent had histories of previous cannabis (marijuana) abuse. Additionally, 13% had also abused cocaine, 13% amphetamines, 11% hallucinogens, 4% sedatives, and 2% opiates. Patients with histories of substance abuse were younger and showed higher index ratings on a subscale of endogenous depressive features. These findings are considered in the context of a possible self-medication hypothesis of substance abuse. A history of substance abuse did not appear to be a contraindication to a therapeutic trial of adjunctive imipramine (Ciba Geigy Corp., Summit, NJ) for postpsychotic depression.
Siris
S G
SG
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, City University of New York, New York.
Kane
J M
JM
Frechen
K
K
Sellew
A P
AP
Mandeli
J
J
Fasano-Dube
B
B
D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
D007099:Imipramine