Managing Depression in Medical Outpatients

Abstract

Depression is second only to hypertension as the most common chronic condition encountered in general medical practice.¹ At least 1 in 10 outpatients has major depression, but most cases are unrecognized or inappropriately treated,²⁴ leading to loss of productivity, functional decline, and increased mortality.⁵⁹ Appropriate therapy improves the daily functioning and overall health of patients with depression.^10,11 DiagnosisMajor depression is defined by depressed mood or loss of interest in nearly all activities (or both) for at least two weeks, accompanied by a minimum of three or four of the following symptoms (for a total of at . . .