Pharmacotherapy for chronic depression

This article reviews the current status of the treatment of chronic depression with antidepressant medications. Short and longer term clinical trials that have investigated the efficacy of several classes of antidepressants are summarized. The important outcomes of treatment in these studies, including response category, symptom reduction, and improved psychosocial function, are elaborated. Short-term trials seem reasonably conclusive in establishing the effectiveness of antidepressants for dysthymia and double depression, although rates of remission fall short of 50%. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.