What should a pharmacist know?

As a pharmacist, it is important to be familiar with some facts around depression in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your patients.

Prevalence of major depression

Overall, women have higher prevalence rates of depression than men, with depression affecting approximately one in four women and one in eight men during their lifetime.

Symptoms of depression

The World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria for a depressive episode include: for at least two weeks, two of the three core symptoms and at least two of the seven secondary symptoms (see figure).

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Depression is coded in ICD-10 under the following codes: F31: bipolar disorder; F32: depressive episode; F33: recurrent depressive disorder; F34.1: dysthymia; and F06.3: mood disorder due to organic conditions).

As a pharmacist, you might note some of the typical symptoms of depression in a patient. However, there are other diseases or personal circumstances that can result in reactions or behaviours similar to the symptoms of a depression. Below you can find several characteristics that can help to differentiate a depressive disorder from “feeling blue” or an understandable reaction to difficult life circumstances.

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Depression treatment overview

The most important pillars of the treatment of depression are antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Often, a combination of several therapy options is used, including pharmacotherapy for moderate to severe cases of depression.