BMJ 2002;325:149-152 ( 20 July )

Clinical review

ABC of psychological medicine

Depression in medical patients

Robert Peveler, Alan Carson, Gary Rodin. 

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Depressive illness is usually treatable. It is common and results in marked disability, diminished survival, and increased healthcare costs. As a result, it is essential that all doctors have a basic understanding of its diagnosis and management. In patients with physical illness depression may

• Be a coincidental association
• Be a complication of physical illness
• Cause or exacerbate somatic symptoms (such as fatigue, malaise, or pain).

Table Removed (Available Only in the Full Text)

	Clinical features and classification

The term depression describes a spectrum of mood disturbance ranging from mild to severe and from transient to persistent. Depressive symptoms are continuously distributed in any population but are judged to be of clinical significance when they interfere with normal activities and persist for at least two weeks, in which case a diagnosis of a depressive illness or disorder may be made. The diagnosis depends on the presence of two cardinal symptoms of persistent and pervasive low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Need to improve detection rates of depression in medically ill

Vivek Khosla
bmj.com, 24 Jul 2002 [Full text]

Depression in medical patients and Need to Improve Rates

Catherine W. Striley
bmj.com, 25 Jul 2002 [Full text]

Detection is not enough and further initiatives are needed

Sean P J Lynch
bmj.com, 25 Jul 2002 [Full text]

depressive symptoms in cancer patients

Ulrich S Schuler
bmj.com, 1 Aug 2002 [Full text]

Re: depressive symptoms in cancer patients

alan j carson
bmj.com, 6 Aug 2002 [Full text]

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Depression in medical patients

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