Managing complex problems: treatment for common mental disorders in the UK.
OBJECTIVE
This paper aims to describe current trends in the UK primary care management of common mental disorders and explore the appropriateness of differing management approaches in light of the course and common complications of these disorders.


METHODS
It highlights key findings concerning the course and comorbidity of depression to indicate that depression and associated mental illnesses may often form part of more complex patterns of ill health and that these conditions have a clear potential for chronicity. A narrative review of studies providing detail of depression prevalence in selected comorbid conditions is presented for this purpose.


CONCLUSIONS
The presentation and course of common mental disorders indicate organizational changes in health service delivery, and--for a sizeable patient group--the use of chronic disease management strategies.
Tylee
Andre
A
Department of Population & Health Service Research, King's College, London, UK. a.tylee@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Haddad
Mark
M
D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology