Studio discussion: identifying clinical depression in primary care and the role of antidepressants

Not all people who present to their GP with low mood will meet the threshold for clinical depression, given distress or sadness can be a normal, even expected, response to a difficult life event (such as bereavement).

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, the MIMS Learning editors look at how to distinguish distress from more severe forms of depression, and how management of depression depends on the severity. They explore the role of antidepressants and how/when they should be withdrawn. 

The effect that more severe depression can have on a person’s life is also reviewed, including how GPs can sensitively identify if a person with depression is experiencing thoughts of self-harm.

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to: 

• Understand the NICE recommendations on diagnosing depression
• Review the treatment options for depression, and how these differ depending on the severity of depression
• Discuss the latest evidence and advice on withdrawing antidepressants
• Sensitively assess the risk of self-harm in a person with depression

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THOUGHTS OF SELF-HARM OR SUICIDAL IDEATION, PLEASE SEEK HELP FROM THESE RESOURCES:

• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
• Papyrus UK
• Samaritans

MIMS Learning

• Case study: distinguishing distress from depression
• Depression: clinical review
• Depression and anxiety in people with chronic pain
• Exploring the risk of self-harm and suicide in primary care
• Guidance update: NICE guidelines on depression in adults
• Strategies for the safe deprescribing of antidepressants

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