Contents:

1 Depression - Diagnostic Criteria and Classification

• 1.1 Introduction to Depression
• 1.2 Depressive Disorder - Diagnostic Characteristics
• 1.3 Classification of Depressive Disorders

2 Pathophysiology of Depression

• 2.1 Introduction - Relevance of the Pathophysiology of Depression for Clinicians
• 2.2 Neurotransmission
• 2.3 Neurotransmitters and Mood
  • Noradrenaline and the Noradrenergic System
  • Serotonin and the Serotonergic System
  • Neurotransmitter Receptor Sites
• 2.4 Theories of Depression
  • The Biogenic Amine Hypothesis.
  • The Receptor Sensitivity Hypothesis
  • The Serotonin-only Hypothesis.
  • The Permissive Hypothesis
  • The Electrolyte Membrane Hypothesis
  • The Neuroendocrine Hypothesis.

3 Depressive Disorders in General Practice - "Index of Suspicion"

• 3.1 Introduction - "Index of Suspicion"
• 3.2 Prevalence of Depression
• 3.3 Risk Factors for Depressive Disorders
• 3.4 Identifying Depressive Disorders in General Practice

4 Presentation of Depression

• 4.1 Affect
• 4.2 Content and Quality of Thinking
• 4.3 Physical and Physiological Features
• 4.4 Masked Depression

5 Disorders Which May be Associated with Depression

• 5.1 Co-morbid Mental Disorders
• 5.2 Co-morbid Physical Disorders

6 Assessment of the Patient with a Provisional Diagnosis of Depression

• 6.1 Physical Examination
• 6.2 Investigations
• 6.3 Assessment of the Severity of Depression
• 6.4 Assessment of Suicide Risk

7 Management of Depression - Initial Decisions

• 7.1 Framework for Initial Decisions in the Management of Depressed Patients
• 7.2 Management Options for Depression
  • Hospitalisation
  • Specialist Referral
  • Antidepressant Medication
  • Psychotherapy
  • ECT
  • Combinations of Therapies

8 Rational Use of Antidepressant Drugs

• 8.1 Getting to Know Your Drugs
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Mianserin
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Reversible selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (RIMAs)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Nefazodone
  • Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) - A New Class
• 8.2 Guidelines For Selection of an Antidepressant
  • Efficacy
  • Safety
  • Side Effect Profile
  • Long-Term Effects
  • Cost
  • Special Situations
  • Compliance
• 8.3 How to Use an Antidepressant
• 8.4 Summary - Rational Use of Antidepressant Drugs

9 On-going Management of Depression

• 9.1 The Natural History of Depression
• 9.2 Aims of Long-term Care of the Depressed Patient
• 9.3 Management of Antidepressant Medication
• 9.4 Role of Other Members of the Health Team
• 9.5 Working with the Family of the Depressed Patient
• 9.6 Early Intervention Strategies

10 Depression in the Elderly

• 10.1 Introduction to Depression in the Elderly
• Introduction
  
• Epidemiology
  
• The disease burden
  
• Clinical features
  
• Depression and brain changes
  
• Management
  
• Depression and dementia
  
• Other treatments
  
• Conclusion
  
• Further reading
  
• References
  
• 10.2 Management of Depression in the Elderly
• Introduction
• Risk factors for depression in the elderly
• Differential diagnosis of depression in the elderly
• Management of depression in the elderly
• Non pharmacological treatment
  
• Referral to a psychiatrist
  
• Role of Electroconvulsive Therapy
  
• Conclusion
  
• References

References

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