Depressive disorders and their pharmacotherapy in routine clinical practice

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common medical causes of disability and mortality in patients of all ages. Depressive disorders are common in the practice of physicians of a variety of specialties, including psychiatrists, neurologists, and physicians. This paper provides a summary review of the literature on modern ideas about the epidemiology, classification, and clinical picture of depression. Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders in neurological and psychiatric practice are discussed. Modern pharmacotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of depression in various patient populations are described in detail. Current clinical practice indicates the high importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of patients with depressive symptoms in Russia. The paper suggests organizational and educational strategies that can be recommended to improve the effectiveness of medical care for patients with depressive disorders.