Conventional and novel agents in the pharmacotherapy of depression

Abstract

Depression is the most common mental illness worldwide, affecting more than 300 million people. It is characterized by loss of interest and pleasure, sadness, disturbed sleep pattern and appetite, fatigue and poor concentration, among others. In this review, I discuss the probable etiology, epidemiology, classification, symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors and treatment of depression. My main focus is on the pharmacotherapy of depression with a special reference to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Finally, I describe other pharmacological treatment options as well as some non-pharmacological alternatives.