Methods of treating a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder in a subject in need of such treatment are described. A therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising Ac-Nle4-c[Asp5-His6-(NMe)D-Nal(2′)7-Arg8-Trp9-(NMe)Lys10]-NH2 (PEPTIDE 9), in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is administered to the subject. PEPTIDE 9 is a selective MC5R antagonist, in which administration thereof to the subject can treat the depressive or generalized anxiety disorder with clinical improvement observed in a relatively short time.
