psychostimulants in the treatment of depressive disorders

Despite antidepressant therapy of appropriate trial duration and dose optimization, 50-60% of depressed patients have an adequate treatment response, whereas only 35-40% achieve remission. Psychostimulants have been suggested as potential candidates to promote acceleration of response and to alleviate residual symptoms of depression. Nowadays, clinicians often consider the off-label use of stimulants or stimulant alternatives as adjunctive antidepressants. In this review study, we reviewed the available literature on the efficacy of these agents for treatment of refractory unipolar and bipolar depression. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2015; 7(3.000): 304-318]