Biological therapies for depression

Most common tricyclics and SSRI's.

Short term (4-6 weeks).

Evaluation:

• Significant advantage in severely depressed individuals
• Less useful when given to children
• Concern about safety - increase suicidal thoughts in vulnerable people. Twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to placebo group.
• Increased risk among adolescents but over 65 have protective effect against suicide attempts. 

Severe depression.

Quicker results so less risk of suicide.

Bilateral/unilateral

0.6 amp

Evaluation:

• Significantly better results than sham ECT
• Psychological and physical side effects
• Unilateral less likely to cause psychological side effects