Current medication use and symptoms of depression in a general population

Am J Psychiatry. 1978 Sep;135(9):1036-9. doi: 10.1176/ajp.135.9.1036.

Abstract

In a community survey, 41.8% of 771 men and 60.2% of 1,059 women reported having used one or more medications in the 48 hours before the interview. The use of medications and the number of medications used increased progressively with age among both men and women. Respondents who used four or more medications included significantly more high scores on a depression checklist than those who used fewer medications. The group of women who used minor tranquilizers and sedatives included significantly more high depression scorers than those who did not. Among both sexes, those scoring in the depressed range who were receiving psychotropic medication tended to be taking minor tranquilizers or sedatives.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use
  • United States

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Psychotropic Drugs