Table 1.

Study recruitment: inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria
Age ≥18 years	Current moderate to high suicide risk
DSM-IV Major Depressive Episode (MDE)	Current/past episodes of mania or hypomania
HDRS score ≥13	Current/past psychotic symptoms
First or second lifetime treated MDE°	Borderline personality disorders
Availability to sign informed consent	Anti-social personality disorders
	Substance abuse or dependence
	Cognitive impairment
	Effective ongoing antidepressant treatment*
	Effective ongoing psychotherapy
	Poor knowledge of Italian language
	Pregnancy or breastfeeding

° Only previous episodes treated with specific therapeutic options (antidepressants, psychotherapy) were considered.

* Including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics; only use of moderate dose of sedatives-hypnotics was allowed (doses ≤ 7.5 mg lorazepam equivalent/day).