best practice special edition:- Adult depression 2009

Adult depression special edition July 2009 - Contents

About this journal

This journal focuses on the management of depression in adults and is based on the relevant material in the Evidence Base Practice Guideline for the Identification of Common Mental Disorders and Management of depression in Primary Care, published in July 2008 by the New Zealand Guidelines Group.¹

This journal is also a supporting information resource for the bestpractice Depression Decision Support Module. These modules are freely available to all New Zealand General Practices. For further information please contact Jamie Murley; Ph: 03 479 2816 Fax: 03 479 2569.

The advisory group recognises the importance of guidance on the diagnosis and management of depression in specific groups such as children/adolescents, the elderly and in pregnant/ breastfeeding women. These subjects will be covered in follow up journals scheduled to be published over the next 18 months. In addition, management tools for these patient groups will be added and integrated in to the bestpractice Decision Support Module as further resources are developed.

Future bpac^nz publications in this series:

Childhood and adolescent depression
Treatment of depression during pregnancy, breastfeeding and postnatal depression
Treatment of depression in the elderly

Introduction	Select
Key Messages Epidemiology of Mental Disorders in New Zealand Cultural Issues Etiology of depression and risk factors Analysis of antidepressant use in New Zealand
Assessment of Depression in Adults in Primary Care	Select
Screening for mental disorders in primary care Assessment (Formal Screening) Tools for General Practice Monitoring response to treatment Assessment of Suicide Risk
Management of Depression in Primary care	Select
General Principles Active support and management Guided self-help and e-therapy Psychological Therapy Current examples of free E-therapy resources
Pharmacological Management of Depression in Adults	Select
Drug treatment in adults – general principles Antidepressant Choice Dose titration and response Treatment with SSRIs Tricyclic antidepressants Venlafaxine Other antidepressants are they still an option? Changing from one antidepressant to another Stopping drug therapy Pregnancy
Appendices	Select
Appendix 1: Management of depression in adults Appendix 2: Management of mild depression in adults Appendix 3: Management of moderate depression in adults Appendix 4: Management of severe depression in adults Appendix 5: Kessler 10 (K10) Appendix 6: Patient health questionaire (PHQ-9) Appendix 7: General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) Appendix 8: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) Appendix 9: Case finding and Help Assessment Tool (CHAT)