Do psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for depression conflict? Empirical evidence from a clinical trial.

Although pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are frequently used in combination as treatment for depression, speculations about possible negative interactions of the two treatments remain. This occurs despite growing research evidence demonstrating the greater efficacy of combined treatment. In this report six hypotheses about negative interactions between pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are evaluated on the basis of data derived from a clinical trial of psychotherapy and tricyclic antidepressants alone and in combination as treatment for ambulatory depression. None of the hypotheses was supported by the data.