The Initial Diagnosis and Pharmacotherapy of Depression: Guidelines for Primary Care Physicians

Noting that depressed patients often visit their primary care physician for an initial evaluation, this article discusses the assessment & diagnosis of depression. Depressed patients must be assessed for suicidal ideations & plans & for psychosis. Information about treatment with antidepressant drug is given, including possible side effects & drug-drug interactions. Patients who have not improved within 2 weeks should be referred for psychiatric consultation. 10 refs. (LH)