summary
background Following reports of new scientific research there are frequently discussions in the media about the effectiveness of antidepressants.
aim To find out whether recently published meta-analyses about the effectiveness of antidepressants have consequences for clinical practice.
method Two recent meta-analyses which investigated the effectiveness of antidepressants are discussed.
results The two studies were conducted along similar lines using similar methods. Both meta-analyses concluded that antidepressants are effective in the more serious type of depressive disorders. They are less effective in mild depressive disorders.
conclusion On the basis of these two meta-analyses it was concluded that antidepressants should be prescribed solely for patients with severe depressive disorders.