Comments for Consumers

This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.

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Australian Prescriber Vol. 28 No. 1 2005

Depression

Depression is a common problem in Australia. Although some patients need to take antidepressants for many months to help them recover, milder depression can be managed without medicine.

Talking to a general practitioner is the first step to seeking help for depression. The patient may then need counselling to help them overcome their depression. Self-help books and tapes can assist with this recovery.

Studies have shown that these psychological therapies can work just as well as antidepressants in mild depression. It is important that the patient keeps in touch with their doctor, so that other treatments can be given if the depression is not improving.

There is a national initiative to tackle depression and information about it can be found at www.beyondblue.org.au