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- Title
Managing depression in primary care.
- Authors
Chung Wai Mark Ng; Choon How How; Yin Ping Ng; Ng, Chung Wai Mark; How, Choon How; Ng, Yin Ping
- Abstract
Major depression is common in the primary care setting. In the final article of this series, we illustrate the approach to the management of depression in primary care. Psychotherapy has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate major depression. The common myth that antidepressants are addictive should be addressed. Antidepressants should be started at a subtherapeutic dose to assess tolerability, then gradually increased until a minimally effective dose is achieved. Apart from pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, management of depression should include managing stressors, engaging social and community support, dealing with stigma and discrimination, and managing concomitant comorbidities. A strong therapeutic relationship and empathic listening are important between the primary care physician and patient.
- Subjects
THERAPEUTICS; MENTAL depression; PRIMARY care; ANTIDEPRESSANTS; PSYCHOTHERAPY; DRUG therapy; SOCIAL support; COMMUNITY support
- Publication
Singapore Medical Journal, 2017, Vol 58, Issue 8, p459
- ISSN
0037-5675
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.11622/smedj.2017080