Description

Depression is a very common disorder, with a 510%
prevalence in primary care settings.1 It has been
estimated (by the World Health Organisation) that
by the year 2020, depression will be the second most
common cause of disability in the developed world, and
the number one cause in the developing world.2 Women
are approximately twice as likely as men to experience
a depressive episode within a lifetime and the lifetime
risk is 15% overall.3 Not only do depressive disorders
have significant potential morbidity and mortality
the death rate may be as high as 15% – but they also
contribute to increased mortality and morbidity when
associated with other physical disorders.
With this is in mind, it is of some concern that up
to half of the patients with a major depressive illness
are not diagnosed and those who are diagnosed are
often not adequately treated.4 Most depressive states
are at the mild to moderate end of the spectrum and
are managed mainly in primary care. In fact, 80%
of people identified as having depression are managed
entirely in a primary care setting.