The Medical journal of Australia
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Depressive symptoms are common in people with schizophrenia and can be associated with suicidality, but are often either missed or dismissed by clinicians. General practitioners have a key role in initial assessment and subsequent monitoring of depressive symptoms, associated risks and physical health in patients with schizophrenia. ⋯ Antidepressants, prescribed in tandem with antipsychotics, have a likely therapeutic role for persistent depressive symptoms in schizophrenia, but side effects can be troublesome. Although some of the atypical antipsychotics appear to have primary antidepressant effects, the utility of these agents alone in the setting of persistent depressive symptoms in schizophrenia has not been established.
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Depression is usually the predominant phase in bipolar disorder, causes the most psychosocial disability, and carries significant risk of suicide. The management of bipolar depression is relatively under-studied and poses significant challenges for clinicians. ⋯ The relative lack of evidence relating to optimal strategies, especially when bipolar depression occurs with common comorbidities, poses challenges and requires further research. A flexible approach and evidence-based combinations of treatments can provide effective strategies for improving quality of life and reducing morbidity and mortality.
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Depression in people with dementia is a common presentation in primary care, but it is often missed or mismanaged. This problem has substantial public health implications and adversely affects the quality of life and physical health of patients and carers. ⋯ Medication use should be considered. Psychological and social strategies should be incorporated into most management plans.
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Coexisting psychiatric and medical conditions, environmental and contextual factors, inadequate diagnosis and treatment, medication non-adherence, and issues such as low self-esteem, hopelessness and cognitive reactivity, can play a role in difficult-to-treat depression. A reduction in symptoms due to pharmacological treatment does not equate with full recovery, and some level of rehabilitation is often required. The evidence base for psychosocial therapies in difficult-to-treat depression is small, with the research heavily weighted toward biological treatments. ⋯ Psychological therapies can be useful in modifying health beliefs, treating comorbid anxiety and other disorders, dealing with contextual factors, and activating patients to facilitate their recovery. Effective treatment requires a multidisciplinary team involving a general practitioner and psychologist, and sometimes a psychiatrist. Effective communication and active engagement of patients and families is essential.
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To better understand the non-reporting of reportable deaths by determining the frequency and nature of reportable deaths referred to the Coroners Court of Victoria (CCOV) by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). ⋯ Deaths referred by BDM represent a proportion of the unquantified pool of non-reported deaths. Non-reporting of potentially reportable deaths and inaccurate completion of death certificates have significant implications for the health system and community. Further education of medical practitioners about reportable deaths and death certificates is required. Doctors should report any death about which they have doubt.