Depressive disorders are more common in patients with physical illness than in those without. Recent advances in psychiatric treatments, including brief, focused psychological therapies and increasingly selective medications, have now given us the opportunity to make a significant impact on both the physical and mental health of this previously neglected patient group.

The aim of this module is to help general psychiatrists in the diagnosis and treatment of depression of these patients, with particular emphasis on the choice of antidepressant.

The module will take you through some of the key points with regard to:

• the relationship between physical and depressive illness

• assessment and diagnosis

• management and treatment.

Start the module (updated January 2009)

Module information | About the authors | Module contents | Take-home notes | References | Feedback