title: Diagnosis and treatment of depression.
abstract: In the United States, depression is the most common psychiatric disorder and is the psychiatric problem most often seen by the generalist. Thus, it is essential for the primary-care physician to have a thorough understanding of the diagnosis and management of depression. Patients often present with complaints such as weight loss, appetite changes, sleep disturbances, pain, psychomotor agitation or retardation, decreased sexual drive, loss of energy, and somatic complaints. When depression is suspected, the clinician should first rule out secondary depression attributable to other psychiatric or medical illnesses, or medications. In addition, certain age categories--children, adolescents, and elderly individuals--have characteristic symptoms and behavior patterns suggestive of depression. Identifying the suicidal patient is another important aspect in the treatment of depressed individuals. In addressing this issue, questions have been formulated to help identify patients who may be potentially suicidal. Treatment modalities for depression include exercise regimens, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. The standard pharmacotherapy has been the administration of tricyclic antidepressant agents; newer drugs are currently available that have comparable efficacy, and perhaps better safety profiles than the tricyclic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minn.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Avant
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008370:Manuals as Topic
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents