THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS BEFORE AND SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

A study of the rates of admission, therapy and outcome of depressed patients at Central Islip State Hospital for the two years 1955 and 1960 is reported. A drop in the admission rate for the more severely psychotic depressions has been balanced by a rise in admission rate of reactive and neurotic depressions. The high value of EST in the severe depressions is again revealed by our data. There is evidence for high value of phenothiazines in the agitated and in the neurotic depressions. There has been surprisingly little use of the MAO inhibitors and of imipramine, despite the reported value of these drugs. The hopeful, protective and supportive attitude of admission services is in itself highly therapeutic. All in all, the present prognosis for a depressed patient admitted to hospital is highly favorable and constantly improving.