A Technique for Surveying Side-Effects of Tricyclic Drugs with Reference to Reported Sexual Effects

The survey technique which is to be described arose out of an interest in the side-effects reported by patients taliing various psychi atric drugs and consideration of the ways in which these could be modified. In particular I was anxious to investigate the effects of warning patients of side-effects in advance upon their compliance with drug taking instructions. As we have heard, many patients cease taking medication and give side-effects as the reason. It is possible that advance warning of these side-effects with reassurance —what psychologists call anticipatory counter-propaganda or two-side present ation—may reduce this. At present patients