Adolescents' response to antidepressant treatment in a community mental health center.

UNLABELLED

This study examines antidepressant response in 52 adolescents after 6 months of treatment in a community mental health clinic. No patients were excluded based on psychiatric or medical co-morbidity. Symptomatic and functional outcome measures were administered to patients and parents. A pharmacotherapy algorithm was followed. Thirty-four patients (65%) completed the 6 month of treatment. Eighty-eight percent of patients improved, while 47% responded. These results are compared to response rates in acute research studies, in continuation studies, and in a study of depressed adults treated in a community clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

Research to improve response rates to antidepressants in the real world is urgently needed, since it appears that rates are low and diminish with age.