7. Disease
        Psychiatry
            Depression
Depression - Treatment

Depression
- Treatment

General principle

 

If psychotic features present, consider electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic medication

 

Mild depression -> Treat with counselling or psychotherapy

Severe depression -> Treat with antidepressant and perhaps counselling and psychotherapy

 

A delay in onset of antidepressant response of at least 1 to 2 weeks occurs with all antidepressant.

Full recovery (in those who do respond to the drug) may take up to 6 weeks or longer.

Antidepressant should be continued for at least 6 months and up to 12 months.

 

First-line therapy

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Moclobemide

Nefazodone

Venlafaxine

 

Second-line therapy

Tricyclic antidepressants

Mianserin

Irreversible non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors

 

 

 

 

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