The present invention develops methods for treating or preventing depression secondary to atypical pain (DSP). The methods generally comprise administering an effective amount of a
monoamine reuptake inhibitor to treat or prevent the symptoms of DSP. In a preferred embodiment, a therapeutically effective
dose of a specific type of dual
serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SRNI) compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered. Most preferably the SNRI compounds are non-
tricyclic SNRIs, wherein the
serotonin reuptake inhibition is stronger than
norepinephrine reuptake inhibition; NSRIs, wherein the
norepinephrine reuptake inhibition is stronger than
serotonin reuptake inhibition inhibition. The most preferred compound is
milnacipran or a bioequivalent or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Other preferred compounds are
duloxetine,
venlafaxine or bioequivalent or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In another embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a particular type of non-
tricyclic triple
reuptake inhibitor ("TRI") compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is administered. TRI compounds are characterized by blocking the reuptake (and thus increasing central concentrations) of three major brain monoamines: serotonin, norepinephrine and
dopamine.