Atypical depression: retrospective self-reporting of treatment effectiveness.
OBJECTIVE
Earlier studies demonstrated that those with atypical depression show a differentially superior response to monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants. This study compares ratings of effectiveness for a range of treatments, amongst depressed subjects with and without atypical features.


METHODS
In an on-line survey, individuals experiencing likely clinical depression rated symptoms experienced when depressed, including 'atypical features' and the effectiveness of previous treatments. Mean treatment effectiveness ratings were compared amongst those with 'atypical depression' (n = 338) and 'non-atypical depression' (n = 377).


RESULTS
There were few significant differences between the 'atypical depression' and 'non-atypical depression' groups in effectiveness ratings for drug treatments, and none for psychological treatments. The 'atypical depression' group had significantly lower mean effectiveness ratings for some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. Few respondents had trialed MAOIs.


CONCLUSIONS
While MAOIs are rarely prescribed, a range of non-MAOI drug and psychological treatments are of some perceived benefit for depressed patients with atypical features.
Parker
G
G
Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia. g.parker@unsw.edu.au
Crawford
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002605:Character; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors