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Antidepressant Drug Therapy in Psychotic Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Jonathan R. T. Davidson ,
Malcolm N. McLeod ,
Albert A. Kurland  and
Helen L. White
Jonathan R. T. Davidson*
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina; John Umstead Hospital, Butner, North Carolina
Malcolm N. McLeod
Affiliation:
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; John Umstead Hospital, Butner, North Carolina
Albert A. Kurland
Affiliation:
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21228
Helen L. White
Affiliation:
Burroughs Wellcome Laboratories, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
*
Address correspondence to: Dr J. R. T. Davidson, Centre for Interpersonal Studies, 3188 Atlanta St S.E., Smyrna, Ga. 30080, USA.
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Abstract

Imipramine and phenelzine were ineffective in the treatment of five primary unipolar depressives with delusions, even when plasma levels of imipramine and desmethylimipramine or activity of platelet monoamine oxidase suggested that an adequate dose of drug had been given. Four patients went on to receive ECT and all responded well. Five non-delusional patients responded satisfactorily to the antidepressant drug given. Nine out of ten subjects were women. Non-delusional patients showed some placebo response.

ECT is considered to be the treatment of choice in the acute phase of delusional depression in women.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 131 , Issue 5 , November 1977 , pp. 493 - 496
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1977 

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