Introduction: Optimizing Treatment Outcome in Depression

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Many effective therapies, including pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive treatment, are available for patients suffering from unipolar depressive disorders. Antidepressant drugs have become first-line treatment for depression in both primary and specialty care settings. Despite the improved safety and tolerability of newer antidepressants compared with tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, many patients do not adhere to antidepressant treatment.’ ‹