Selective depression definition

Some of the depressant behavioral effects of hallucinogens may involve inhibitory postsynaptic 5-HT receptors. For example, depressant effects of hallucinogens on startle and locomotor activity may result from activation of these receptors, since 5-HT itself has similar effects. Studies on supersensitivity are lacking, however, and, again, the absence of selective antagonists prevents definitive conclusions. 

Antidepressants have been shown effective in the treatment of major depression with response rates at approximately 60-70%. The only treatment for depression consistently shown to be more effective is ECT with response rates of 80-90%. There is no definitive means of predicting which medication will work best for a given patient nevertheless, the choice of a medication should not be made capriciously. Several factors can guide medication selection and thereby maximize the likelihood of a successful response. 

Controlled studies involving lipid manipulation in children date back to the 1920s, when the ketogenic diet was pioneered to control treatment-resistant seizures in select pediatric populations (Freeman et al., 1998). However, no controlled evidence is available in children with depression, bipolar disorder, behavioral problems, or ADHD. In the absence of definite empirical data about effectiveness, treatment with EFA supplements should be considered unproven and patients ought to be advised accordingly. 

Patient selection based on symptom severity. This can be defined directly by a minimal acceptable severity score as measured by a rating instrument (e.g. the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale or other established assessment instruments see Section 5.6). An indirect definition of symptom severity may be a consequence of the status of a patient population a clinical trial designed for inpatients generally implies a more severe symptom profile than a study with... 

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