title: [Depression: a disease with many faces].
abstract: A depressive disorder is not always easy to recognize in the daily routine of medical care. The WHO-5 questionnaire, applied as a screening tool that can be filled out by the patient while in the waiting room, can provide initial indications. The diagnosis is then clarified after more specific questioning on the core and additional symptoms. The therapy is adapted to the severity of the disease. Mild and moderately severe depressions are treated by the family physician. Antidepressants and/or psychotherapy and also nonspecific measures, such as sport or self-management, are used in the treatment of depression. If the patient does not respond to the therapy after two weeks or if other complications develop, a specialist should be consulted. For a successful treatment, it is important to inform the patient about the disease and to arrange a therapy concept that is appropriate for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hegerl
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Besserer
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012648:Self Care; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents