Novel 7-aminobenzocycloheptenes of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of --NO.sub.2, --NH.sub.2, CH.sub.3 O-- and --OH, R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a saturated heterocycle of 4 to 6 ring carbon atoms optionally containing a second heteroatom in the ring and optionally substituted with an alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms and their non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts in optically active or racemic mixture form having antidepressant activity and a process for their preparation.