COMBINED DRUG THERAPY COMPARED WITH ELECTRIC SHOCK IN PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSIONS

One hundred patients hospitalized for psychotic types of depression were divided into two comparable groups. Half of the patients received 9 EST over a 3-week period. The other half received tranylcypromine and trifluoperazine b.i.d. The clinical symptoms were rated quantitatively prior to treatment and 4 weeks later. The response time to drugs was shorter, averaging 6.6 days versus 9.2 days in the EST group. The scores of the repeat evaluations and the average length of stay in the hospital were almost equal in both groups. A larger number of patients in the drug group engaged in activities spontaneously. No serious side effects were encountered on drugs and acceptance by the patients was much better than that of EST.