Some considerations on the role of benzodiazepines in the treatment of depression.

1 Benzodiazepines are regarded as pure anxiolytics, and their value in the treatment of depression is controversial. Nevertheless, symptoms of anxiety and depression coexist in patients with endogenous or neurotic depression, and clinical trials indicate that depressed patients respond better to a benzodiazepine-tricyclic antidepressant combination than to either drug alone. 2 Benzodiazepines may extend tricyclic antidepression efficacy by rapidly relieving anxiety and insomnia. Factor analysis of scores obtained using the Hamilton Depression and Self-Administered Depression Rating Scales confirm the clinical findings by revealing that a close correlation exists among anxiety, insomnia and endogenous depression. The factor analysis data seem to support the wide use of benzodiazepine-tricyclic combinations to treat depressed patients.