[Early diagnosis of depression by the family physician]

For patients with a depressive disorder, the family physician is often the first contact person. The doctor's early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment are hence of crucial importance. Because patients usually present with physical symptoms, the physician must actively explore the possibility of a depression; this means that the doctor must specifically ask about the principle symptoms and also explicitly address the subject of suicidal tendencies. The clarification of the course of depression (monophasic, recurrent or bipolar) and the exclusion physical causes are additional elements of the diagnosis. A screening is helpful for making a diagnosis, but does not replace a clinical examination.