Abstract
Objective: To clarify the development of the ‘Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of depression’ and to discuss the critique of these guidelines.
Method: Consideration of international practice in evidence-based medicine and rebuttal of criticisms.
Results: We agree with Professor Gordon Parker on fundamental issues in the treatment of depression. His main criticisms reflect his concerns about the classification of depression. We consider that many of his detailed criticisms reflect a difference of opinion on how data should be evaluated or interpreted.
Conclusions: The guideline for the treatment of depression makes sound recommendations, in agreement with comparable guidelines from the US and the UK.