A recent study concludes that cognitive psychotherapy can be just as effective for the treatment of atypical major depression as standard drug therapy with phenelzine sulfate. Researchers at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas randomized 108 patients suffering from atypical major depression to treat with the MAO inhibitor phenelzine sulfate, cognitive therapy, or placebo for 10 weeks to collect data. The study found that 58 percent of patients in both the cognitive therapy and phenelzine sulfate groups responded to treatment, compared to 28 percent of placebo recipients. Authors say the findings suggest that cognitive therapy is an effective and viable alternative to drug therapy for atypical major depression.
Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.