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.