Antidepressants: uses and attitudes among consultant psychiatrists – A questionnaire study

Abstract

AbstractAn audit of Consultant Psychiatrists' views on and uses of antidepressant drugs is reported. At present senior prescribers largely opt for the older tricyclic antidepressants despite a knowledge of their shortcomings. MAOIs are less popular and newer drugs are viewed cautiously and apprehensively. Lofepramine is largely viewed as an alternative to dothiepin and amitriptyline. Non-drug strategies in the management of depression consist largely of support, environmental manipulation and electroconvulsive therapy. The relatively novel treatment, cognitive therapy, has a strong minority following.