Behavioral predictors of amitriptyline response in depression

Am J Psychiatry. 1981 Jan;138(1):30-4. doi: 10.1176/ajp.138.1.30.

Abstract

In this study of 18 female depressed patients and 18 age- and sex-matched control subjects, the authors examined the relationship between nonverbal behavior and treatment outcome with amitriptyline. A behavioral analysis indicated that amitriptyline responders could be differentiated from nonresponders before drug treatment on the basis of discrete nonverbal behaviors. Nonresponders showed a high frequency of body-focused self-adaptors, posture shifts, and pauses and a low frequency of smiles, while responders displayed long speech pauses and long durations of head aversion.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amitriptyline / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nonverbal Communication
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Verbal Behavior / drug effects

Substances

  • Amitriptyline