Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a first line treatment option for millions of patients, due to the positive balance between efficacy and tolerability. However, some side effects associated with their use, can impair quality of life and compliance with treatment. This paper reviews the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, weight gain and emotional detachment during SSRI treatment, the profile of bupropion for each of these events and the ability of bupropion to reverse them. Double-blind trials, open-label trials and anecdotical reports derived from Medline were included. First, there is robust evidence that SSRIs can induce sexual side effects and that bupropion causes less sexual dysfunction than SSRIs. There is limited, mainly open-label evidence that bupropion can reverse SSRI-induced sexual side effects. Second, there is good evidence that long-term treatment with some SSRIs can result in weight gain and that long-term treatment with bupropion can result in a small weight loss. There is only anecdotical evidence that bupropion can reverse SSRI-induced weight gain. Third, treatment with SSRIs has been associated with ;emotional detachment', although controversy exists about this concept. No data are available on the profile of bupropion for ;emotional detachment' or for the reversal of SSRI-induced ;emotional detachment' by bupropion-addition.

Background: This exploratory study investigates the influence of maternal cortisol and emotional state during pregnancy on fetal intrauterine growth (IUG). We expected higher basal cortisol levels, or more depressive and anxious complaints during pregnancy, to be associated with slower IUG and lower birth weight. Methods: a total of 91 pregnant women were recruited from the antenatal clinic and were seen once each trimester. In addition to psychological assessments, a diurnal cortisol profile was derived from saliva samples. IUG was evaluated using ultrasound. results: In mid-pregnancy (trimester (T)2), basal cortisol levels significantly predicted the variance of weight (proportion of variance in growth variable explained (PVe) = 11.6%) and body mass index (BMI) at birth (PVe = 6.8%). In late pregnancy (T3) emotional state, particularly depressive symptoms (BMI at birth: PVe = 6.9%; ponderal index (PI) at birth: PVe = 8.2%; head circumference at T3: PVe = 10.3%; head circumference at birth PVe = 9.1%) and attachment (BMI at birth: PVe = 6.9%; PI at birth: PVe = 7.2%) had an influence on growth. analysis of growth between T2 and T3 showed that attachment and cortisol in T3 had an influence on the variation in increase in estimated fetal weight (PVe = 12.5-8.6%).

Background. Standard depression rating scales like the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale were developed more than 40 years ago. They are mandatory in clinical trials but are for a variety of reasons seldom used in clinical practice. Moreover, most clinicians are less familiar with more recent trends or with some dilemmas in assessment tools for major depression. Methods. Narrative review. Results. Asssessment tools can be observer-rating or self-rating scales, disease-specific or nondisease-specific scales, subjective scales or objective lab assessments, standard questionnaires or experience sampling methods. An overarching question is to what degree current assessment methods really address the individual patient's needs and treatment expectations. Conclusions. The present paper aims to offer a framework for understanding the current trends in assessment tools that can orientate and guide the clinician.