PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT RESPONSE OF PATIENTS WITH A DSM-III DIAGNOSIS OF DYSTHYMIC DISORDER

In spite of its significant morbidity, dysthymic disorder has been und er-researched, therefore effective treatment options are limited. This article presents data suggesting that dysthymia can be treated effect ively with psychopharmacologic agents. A double-blind, placebo-control led 7-week drug trial comparing imipramine to ritanserin, a serontonin -2 antagonist, indicated that both drugs were significantly more effec tive than placebo in alleviating dysthymia symptoms. Imipramine was sl ightly more effective than ritanserin, as indicated by ratings on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Zerssen Self-Rating Scale; ho wever, imipramine also produced more side effects. On the basis of thi s study, we continued an open protocol for treating dysthymic patients with a specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine. This open-l abel study indicated that fluoxetine was successful in reducing the dy sthymia symptoms, particularly in the subaffective sub-type. These stu dies confirm the need for further research into the treatment options for patients suffering from dysthymia.