National Trends in the Outpatient Treatment of Depression

To compare trends in outpatient treatment of depressive disorders in the United States in 1987 and 1997. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of service utilization data from 2 nationally representative surveys of the US general population, the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey (N = 34 459) and the 1997 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (N = 32 636).

Respondents who reported making 1 or more outpatient visits for treatment of depression during that calendar year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of treatment, psychotropic medication use, psychotherapy, number of outpatient treatment visits, type of health care professional, and source of payment.