Use of treatment algorithms for depression.

Depression continues to be a treatment challenge for many physicians-psychiatrists and primary care physicians alike-in part because of the nature of the disorder, but also because of the wide variety of medications and other treatments available, each with a distinct efficacy and safety profile. One way of negotiating treatment decisions is to use treatment guidelines and algorithms. This Commentary, which appears in the September 2006 issue of The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (2006;67:1458-1465), provides the primary care clinician with insight into the pros and cons of using treatment algorithms to guide the treatment of depression. -Larry Culpepper, M.D.