Changes in patients' beliefs about their antidepressant during the acute phase of depression treatment

Abstract Purpose To test hypotheses regarding medication beliefs in relation to adherence, side effects, and response during the acute phase of an antidepressant treatment episode. Methods Participants were 163 patients with unipolar major depression participating in the acute phase of a multi-stage trial of medication and psychotherapy. Before starting citalopram, patients underwent measures of treatment beliefs and depression. They continued taking citalopram until either responding, discontinuing due to side effects, or failing to respond within 14 weeks. Assessments of adherence, side effects and depression were made at weeks 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 14 (as applicable) and at trial exit. Beliefs were reevaluated at exit. Results Perceived need for medication increased between baseline and exit ( P =.01) while perceived medication harmfulness dropped between baseline and exit ( P