title: When a depressed patient fails to improve.
abstract: In all depressed patients, an accurate and complete diagnosis of psychiatric as well as other medical conditions is essential. Diagnosis must be followed by adequate use of medications and an effective treatment plan that addresses all the relevant issues. In patients who have complex depressions and those who are unresponsive to adequate initial treatment with antidepressants, evaluation by a psychiatrist is recommended. A referral for psychotherapy, whether to a psychiatrist or other competent therapist, should follow appropriate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Park Nicollet Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55404.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Lentz
mesh_terms: D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans