Depression in general clinical practice

Worldwide currently about 340 million people suffer from depression. If not treated, it leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include female sex, young age, lower socio-economic study, separated or divorced, positive family history, stressful life events, certain medical illness and so on. Aetiology lies on genetic factors, biochemical abnormality and personality and environmental factors. Clinical features lie on cardinal and other common symptoms. Depression usually starts before 40 years of age, average duration of one episode being 3-9 months. Treatment consists of a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, pharmacotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. A clinician may start therapy with low dose SSRIs which is considered as 1st line drugs. To educate patients about anti-depressants is very important.