This study examines the relative benefit of antidepressant medication (ADM) compared to placebo across a wide range of initial symptom severity in patients diagnosed with depression. The researchers analyzed data from six randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 718 patients, focusing on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) scores. The results show that the magnitude of the benefit of ADM over placebo increases with the severity of depression symptoms. For patients with mild or moderate symptoms (HRSD ≤ 23), the effect size was small (<0.20), while for patients with very severe symptoms (HRSD ≥ 25), the effect size was clinically significant. The study concludes that while ADM can be effective for patients with very severe depression, its benefits are minimal or non-existent for those with mild to moderate symptoms.This study examines the relative benefit of antidepressant medication (ADM) compared to placebo across a wide range of initial symptom severity in patients diagnosed with depression. The researchers analyzed data from six randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 718 patients, focusing on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) scores. The results show that the magnitude of the benefit of ADM over placebo increases with the severity of depression symptoms. For patients with mild or moderate symptoms (HRSD ≤ 23), the effect size was small (<0.20), while for patients with very severe symptoms (HRSD ≥ 25), the effect size was clinically significant. The study concludes that while ADM can be effective for patients with very severe depression, its benefits are minimal or non-existent for those with mild to moderate symptoms.