Give people choice of treatment options for depression, says NICE

People with depression should choose what treatment option is right for them, in discussion with their healthcare professional, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended in draft guidance.1

In the first guideline for 12 years to focus on identifying, treating, and managing depression in adults, NICE advises that antidepressant drugs should not be offered as the first line treatment for less severe depression “unless that is the person’s preference.”

Patients with less severe depression should be able to choose from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exercise, counselling, or psychotherapy as their first line treatment, it says.

The draft guidance puts much emphasis on shared decision making, with NICE creating a menu of treatment options to allow patients to pick the one that …