CLUES TO DEPRESSION IN PRIMARY-CARE PRACTICE

Depression is a common but highly treatable mood disorder. Unfortunate ly, two thirds of depressed patients may never receive appropriate int ervention. Because of individual and societal barriers to the diagnosi s, depressive symptoms often go unrecognized. However, primary care ph ysicians are in a unique position to surmount these obstacles by being alert to manifestations of the disorder. Treatment with antidepressan t drugs, psycho-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy, or a combination o f these is very efficacious. The choice of method is based on such fac tors as history of previous response, severity of disease, concomitant medical illness, and patient preference.