UK CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT DEPRESSION LAUNCHED

In the UK, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, in association with the Royal College of General Practitioners, has embarked upon a Defeat Depression campaign, with the aim of increasing the knowledge of health care professionals in the recognition and effective treatment of depressive illness and to enhance public awareness of the nature, course and treatment of depressive disorders.

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, affecting up to 10% of the population. Around 5%-6% of the population will be suffering from major depression at any one time. In one year, says the campaign management committee, general practitioners will record the diagnosis of depression in 3% of the population, and it is probable that a similar number of depressed patients will go unrecognised.

Only 10% of depressed patients are referred to a psychiatrist for treatment, and only 1% require hospitalization, said Andre Tylee of the department of general practice at St George's Hospital Medical School, London. Depression is therefore a disorder mostly encountered by GPs, he said, adding that unfortunately as many as 50% of cases may be missed. While a further 10% are subsequently recognized, 40% receive no treatment and either remit spontaneously, continue with episodic illness or go on to develop a chronic depressive disorder.