Depression in General Practice:

Abstract

Using multiple diagnostic and epidemiological criteria, 3 samples of general practice (GP) depressives were studied: those prescribed a new course of antidepressants, those given other treatment and those missed by the GP. The majority of patients qualified as psychiatric cases on the PSE [Present State Examination] Index of Definition, the Bedford College Criteria and the Research Diagnostic Criteria [RDC]. Most satisfied diagnostic criteria for depression, or (fewer) anxiety. The disorders were relatively mild and often borderline on all 3 systems. Depressives given other treatment most often failed to meet diagnostic criteria. About half the antidepressant treated patients received RDC diagnoses of major depression. Among the other treatment sample, only 1/5 met these criteria and half had non-depressive diagnoses. Most cases of depression treated by GP satisfy criteria for psychiatric disorder, but tend to be relatively mild and borderline in quality.