Driving Ability of Depressive Patients under Antidepressants

Abstract

A group of twenty depressive patients was compared during a 3–4 month course of antidepressant therapy (maprotiline: n = 6, age = 46·1; dibenzepin: n = 4, age = 43·0; lithium: n = 6, age = 44·5; ‘mixed’ (maprotiline, dibenzepin and trimeprimine): n = 4, age = 50·2) with a healthy control group (n = 32, age = 38·2) for subjective assessment of their depressive mood and performance as well as objective measurement of variables relating to driving behaviour. The measurements were taken 2–4 weeks after a pre-treatment period (day 1) and after 2–3 months of further therapy (day 2). During therapy, all patients felt ‘less depressive’ and ‘more capable’ in subjective terms. All patient groups made learning-progress in the objectively measured variables (psychomotor co-ordination and attentiveness tests). By day 2, the patient groups had almost reached the performance level of the control group, providing they received antidepressant therapy (regardless of the action profile) which was suitable for the basic disorder and the symptoms, and therapy was successful in the opinion of the physician. It may be concluded that depressive patients, assuming suitable antidepressant treatment and good response, are capable of driving while under maintenance therapy.