Trazodone and the mental pain hypothesis of depression.

The mental pain hypothesis used to develop trazodone is illustrated, together with its medical and methodological implications. Trazodone possesses a well documented antidepressant activity, which indirectly confirms the above hypothesis. It lacks the aminergic effects of other antidepressants and has a marked adrenolytic activity. Therefore it is potentially indicated in depressive states with adrenergic hyperactivation, such as during alcohol withdrawal. The methodological aspects of the approach taken for trazodone are also discussed, in the context of the strategies of psychopharmacological research.