History of the Use of Antidepressants in Primary Care

As the “gatekeepers” of medical care in the United States, primary care physicians are likely to be the first to detect and treat individuals experiencing psychiatric illnesses. The author provides a brief historical overview of the emergence of psychopharmacology, the development and use of antidepressant drugs, and an examination of their expanding use in primary care for the treatment of both psychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders, and general medical conditions, such as chronic pain disorders.