St John's wort as an antidepressant

Abstract

Diagnostically, depressive disorders form a heterogeneous group which includes major depression as well as depressive states not satisfying the criteria for the full syndrome. These diagnostic types are defined not by severity but by clusters of symptoms and by the length of time they last. Since the efficacy of antidepressants in major depression is well documented, this syndrome is useful when considering treatment with antidepressants. Antidepressant drugs are particularly recommended for moderate and more severe forms of major depression. …