Antidepressants from an internet-patients’ viewpoint

Objective: The study aimed at evaluating effectiveness and side-effects of antidepressants as reported by patients via internet in contrast to the Asolo-scheme.

Method: The effectiveness of the prescribed antidepressive drug should be rated by means of an internet-questionnaire consisting of 16 items on 6-step rating scales.

Results: Nearly 90% of the 98 participants, average age of 23 years at onset and average duration of actual episode of 52 weeks, were treated with new antidepressants. The participants rated the antidepressants mostly as little effective except for venlafaxine. The patients also assessed venlafaxine as more effective than the Asolo-experts did. The side-effects, spontaneously reported by 25% of patients, are well-known from other studies. Neither a significant coincidence between side-effects and antidepressant-group nor between side-effects and compliance could be found.

Conclusions: An internet-survey is attractive for patients with chronic and therapy-resistant depression and could therefore be a supplement to clinical trials and enlarge psychiatric care.