Title
Four potential criteria for deciding when to use antidepressants or psychotherapy for unipolar depression: A literature review
Date of this Version
3-1-2011
Document Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the literature supporting four potential criteria for deciding whether to use psychotherapy or pharmacology when treating depression.
Method: Literature review of the evidence from the last 10 years on presenting patient’s demographics, aetiology, comorbidity, and genetic factors, as predictors of treatment outcome efficacy.
Results: Demographic information has little support as a potential criteria for decision-making; aetiology (melancholic vs. non-melancholic) has significant support; presence of personality disorder comorbidity is unproven as a criterion but may have some value; genetic predisposition has the strongest evidence supporting it as a criteria for treatment decision-making.
Conclusion: Although some presenting cases will be easier to classify than others, there are substantial data supporting the screening of patients according to three of these criteria.
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This document has been peer reviewed.
Publication Details
Citation only.
Sharpley, C. F. & Bitsika, V. (2011). Four potential criteria for deciding when to use antidepressants or psychotherapy for unipolar depression: A literature review. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 15 (1), 2-11.
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2011 HERDC submission. FoR code: 110319
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