Treatment of Depression by Drugs and Psychotherapy

TLDR

Prevention of relapse following depression is a pressing research problem. The authors aimed to test the efficacy of amitriptyline and psychotherapy, alone and in combination, in preventing relapse in depressed patients. They randomized 150 neurotic depressed female patients to receive amitriptyline, psychotherapy, or both. Amitriptyline alone or with minimal psychotherapy lowered relapse to 12% versus 16% for more psychotherapy without medication, with no significant difference between drug alone and drug plus psychotherapy, while psychotherapy benefited patients with social adjustment and interpersonal issues, underscoring the need for further research.

Abstract

Prevention of relapse following depression is a pressing research problem. The authors tested the efficacy of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline and psychotherapy, alone and in combination, in preventing the relapse of 150 neurotic depressed female patients. They found that patients receiving amitriptyline and little psychotherapy had a 12-percent relapse rate, compared to a 16-percent rate for those receiving more psychotherapy and no medication. There was no significant difference between drug therapy alone or drug therapy in combination with psychotherapy. However, psychotherapy was beneficial to patients with problems of social adjustment and interpersonal relations. The need for further research and implications for treatment are discussed.