title: An outpatient survey of antidepressant prescription habits.
abstract: A review of case notes of patients attending a general hospital psychiatric outpatient clinic revealed that 75% of patients with depressive disorders and 38% of patients with neurotic disorders were prescribed antidepressants. Antidepressants were often prescribed for long periods in low doses and in combination with benzodiazepines. There was less polypharmacy, however, with more sedating antidepressants. The results indicate that clinical prescription habits for antidepressants may still be at some variance with recommendations from the literature.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Schrader
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Harcourt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic