Basic topic of depression

Description

According to the WHO, unipolar depression is the 11th leading cause of disability and mortality in the world. This term covers various disorders that are characterized by a pathological change in mood: Depressed mood, loss of interest and joylessness as well as listlessness and increased fatigability are characteristic. The causes of the illness are multifactorial, with biological, psychological and social factors playing a role.

Treatment includes acute therapy, maintenance therapy and long-term therapy. Pharmacological therapy with antidepressants is often used because it is more convenient and the medication is available everywhere and quickly. The various antidepressants are mood-enhancing substances that also have an effect on the drive. A sedative and anxiolytic effect is also possible with some substances. Alternatively or additionally, psychotherapeutic methods can be used, in particular cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy.

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Learning objectives

The basic topic of depression consists of a basic course (theory) and eight case studies (practice: EXPERT 04-06).
The theory section pursues the following learning objectives in particular:

• know and be able to reproduce the definition and classification of unipolar depression as well as important epidemiological data
• understand the basics of impulse transmission in the CNS and its significance for the development of depression as well as genetic, social, seasonal and biological factors that contribute to the development of depression as well as significant diseases and medications that can also cause depression and be able to apply them in patient interviews
• Screening options that can support pharmacists in identifying affected patients and facilitate referral to GPs and specialists
• Understand and be able to reproduce pharmacological and psychotherapeutic therapy principles that are important for acute therapy, maintenance therapy and long-term therapy
• Be able to evaluate drug therapy with regard to effects, side effects and interactions
• Be able to recommend important aspects of remission, maintenance therapy and discontinuation of pharmacological therapy as well as the procedure for treatment-resistant depression, including dose or preparation changes, combination and augmentation therapy and electroconvulsive therapy in an interprofessional discussion
• Be able to differentiate the management of unipolar depression in specific patient groups, including pregnant and postpartum women, children, adolescents, elderly patients and suicidal patients.

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