Evaluation of newer treatment interventions for psychotic depression.
Psychotic depression is characterized by greater severity, higher rate of recurrence, greater incapacitation, more frequent hospitalization, and longer episodes than nonpsychotic depression. The use of combined tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and neuroleptic therapy, as well as electroconvulsive therapy, has proven effectiveness in the treatment of psychotic depression. Although it is limited, evidence for efficacy of selective serontonin reuptake inhibitors both alone and in combination with antipsychotics in psychotic depression suggests that these strategies may provide a desirable alternative to the traditional TCA- neuroleptic therapy. These treatments, in addition to the continual introduction of new psychotropic agents suggest that the prospect of future research in this area is promising.
O'Neal
B L
BL
Depression and Anxiety Disorders Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, St. Paul POB I, Suite 520, 5959 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9101, USA.
Smith
C L
CL
Trivedi
M
M
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs