Anti-depressants or benzodiazepines in patients with complaints of depressive symptoms (in absence of depressive episode/disorder)
Question 2: In patients with complaints of depressive symptoms (in absence of current/prior depressive episode/disorder), are anti-depressants or benzodiazepines better (more effective in symptom reduction in the short-term [immediate] or long-term [>6 months]) and as safe as usual care?
- Population: patients with minor or subsyndromal depression (complaints of depressive symptoms in absence of depressive episode)
- Interventions: antidepressants or benzodiazepines
- Comparison: placebo
- Outcomes:
- symptom reduction
- adverse events.
Recommendation(s)
Neither antidepressants nor benzodiazepines should be used for the initial treatment of individuals with complaints of depressive symptoms in absence of current/prior depressive episode/disorder.
Strength of recommendation: STRONG