The pharmacotherapy of the depression

School: Charles University in Prague Faculty: Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Study program: Pharmacy Department: Department of pharmacology and toxicology Academic year: 2010/2011 Author: Markéta Juřičková Supervisor: PharmDr. Ludmila Melicharová Title of diploma thesis: The pharmacotherapy of the depression This diploma thesis deals with the characterization of depression including its pathophysiology, causes, symptoms, progress as well as it classifies the types of depressive disorders. The diploma thesis deals with the treatment of depression, selection of antidepressants, using of antidepressants in children and adolescents, geriatric patients and pregnant women. It further describes individual groups of antidepressants, their mechanism of action, indications, contraindications and adverse effects. The thesis evaluates benefits of pharmacotherapy in depression treatment. It also classifies and describes the most common forms of psychotherapy. It further deals with other options in depression treatment like phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, physical activity, repetitive transcranial mechanical stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation. It describes their mechanisms of action, adverse effects, indications and their benefits in depression treatment, especially..