Posted by linkadge on August 25, 2012, at 9:06:09
In reply to Before Maois Was there any Tx for Depression?, posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2012, at 15:50:42
I don't know the full answer but...
In the early 1900's, garden variety depression and anxiety were probably commonly treated with the so called 'tonics' like 'Vin Mariana' etc. These were beverages containing a variety of ingredients like alcohol, opium, cocaine, caffeine etc. I don't know if they all required a prescription per se. but many were likely available at pharmacies.
In the 50's stimulants were probably most used for certain depression, although I think that ECT use was the treatment of choice for 'real' depression.
In the late 50's you started to see MAOI's and imipramine both about the same time. Although, it probably took time for people to really see the clinical difference (if there is any) between stimulants and antidepressants. After all, stimulants worked immediately, antidepressants didn't and had all sorts of nasty side effects.
Here is an advertisements for the use of ritalin to treat depression. Although the ad is in 1969, there seems to be some realization that they were effective and better tolerated by some patients.
http://amphetamines.com/methylphenidate/getthingsmoving.html
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:1024135
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120818/msgs/1024175.html