Diagnosis and treatment of affective disorders
Vanoni, C.; Holsboer-Trachsler, E.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 54(7): 386-389
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 9333987 Document Number: 472470
The rates of major depression (5-12%) are considerably higher than for bipolar disorder (ca. 1%). Depressive disorder is most frequent in general practice. Although general practitioners recognise and manage efficiently a large number of depressed patients, at any consultation about half the patients are not diagnosed. Recognising depression is made difficult by the frequency in general practice of presentations with somatic symptoms (masked depression) and of depression related to physical disorder. The best method for the general practitioner to overcome these problems is by using a relatively direct interview for the main specific symptoms of depression. The general practitioner has a key role in the management of depression and as a gatekeeper with a prime responsibility to make appropriate referrals to specialists. Counselling members of the family or friends and recommending self-help groups are important to improve the therapeutic compliance of the patients.