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Evaluation of newer treatment interventions for psychotic depression

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Abstract

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 TCAneuroleptic 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Depression and Anxiety Disorders Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, St. Paul POB I, Suite 520,5959 Harry Hines Boulevard, 75390-9101, Dallas, TX, USA

    Brandi L. O’Neal RN, BSN, Christine L. Smith & Madhukar H. Trivedi MD

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  1. Brandi L. O’Neal RN, BSN
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  2. Christine L. Smith
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  3. Madhukar H. Trivedi MD
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O’Neal, B.L., Smith, C.L. & Trivedi, M.H. Evaluation of newer treatment interventions for psychotic depression. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2, 305–309 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-000-0072-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-000-0072-9

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