CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides evidence for the efficacy of both SSRIs and TCAs in the treatment of chronic depression and showed a better acceptability of SSRIs
INTRODUCTION Chronic depression represents a substantial portion of depressive disorders and is associated with severe consequences .
This review examined the efficacy and acceptability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) in the treatment of chronic depression .
Additionally , the comparative effectiveness of the two types of antidepressants has been examined .
Ritanserin, imipramine, and placebo in the treatment of dysthymic disorder.
Fifty out patients with dysthymic disorder ( DSM-III ) were divided by double-blind r and omized assignment into three groups given ritanserin , imipramine , and placebo , respectively . The trial was of 7 weeks ' duration ; by week 6 , imipramine was clearly superior to placebo , whereas by week 7 , both drugs caused significantly more improvement than the placebo . Although imipramine had slightly greater efficacy than ritanserin , it also had significantly more side effects . This was particularly evident in the higher dropout rate with imipramine . The efficacy and side effect profile of ritanserin makes it well tolerated and acceptable with  dysthymic patients who , although they do not respond as quickly as patients with major depressive disorder , do show significant improvement , given sufficient time
CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides evidence for the efficacy of both SSRIs and TCAs in the treatment of chronic depression and showed a better acceptability of SSRIs
INTRODUCTION Chronic depression represents a substantial portion of depressive disorders and is associated with severe consequences .
This review examined the efficacy and acceptability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) in the treatment of chronic depression .
Additionally , the comparative effectiveness of the two types of antidepressants has been examined .