[Managing depressed patients in family practice. Helping the patient out of the emotional pit, without personally falling in].
Some 10-15% of all patients consulting the general practitioner have depressive disorders. Both depressive episodes and dysthymic disorders often have a considerable negative impact on quality of life and occupational performance. This also applies to the course of somatic diseases, and such disorders are a risk factor for the development of chronicity and may negatively affect compliance. In the treatment of depressive patients, the GP benefits from his experience in the treatment of chronically ill patients and his case management skills. Treatment of depressive disorders is effected in three phases: acute treatment, maintenance treatment, relapse prevention. During these phases, typical problems jeopardizing the success of treatment may occur, such as the re-appearance of psychopathological symptoms, or even emotional problems on the part of the careprovider himself.
Arolt
V
V
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität, Münster. arolt@uni-muenster.de
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012008:Recurrence
D000928:Antidepressive Agents