[Diagnosis and therapy of depression. Key role for the family physician].
Several epidemiological studies initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have demonstrated the outstanding significance of depressive disorders in medical care and for public health aspects. Moreover it is evident that the majority of depressed patients is treated by primary care physicians, rather than by mental health specialists. Therefore, primary care physicians figure prominently in the diagnosis and treatment of depression. However, there is not always sufficient awareness of the fact that depression is among the most common and also with regard to suicidality among the most life-threatening diseases in the primary care setting. Clinical guidelines, taking into account the specific situation in primary care, should safeguard that depressive disorders are rapidly identified. As long as there are no complicating aspects, requiring the support of specialists, depression can usually be treated in primary care. Established standards for the treatment of depression would facilitate this task. Clinical guidelines for the primary care setting must be based on further clinical research.
Henkel
V
V
Psychiatr. Klinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Wambach
V
V
Möller
H J
HJ
Hegerl
U
U
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010819:Physician's Role; D011320:Primary Health Care
D000928:Antidepressive Agents