Recapitulation of selected elements of guidelines for general practitioners on the diagnosis and treatment of depression in adults published by the Polish Psychiatric Association and the Supreme Medical Chamber

The paper is an author’s recapitulation of guidelines for general practitioners (GP) on the diagnosis and treatment of depression in adults published by the Polish Psychiatric Association and the Supreme Medical Chamber: Samochowiec J., Dudek D., Kucharska-Mazur J., Murawiec S., Rymaszewska J., Cubała W.J., Heitzman J., Jankowska-Zduńczyk A., Chatizow J., Bala M., Diagnosis and treatment of depression in adults – guidelines for family physicians, Polish Psychiatric Association and Supreme Medical Chamber (2019).

It discusses the frequency of depression, the necessity of conducting screening tests, the principles of diagnosing depression, as well as its various clinical forms and the principles of collaboration between the doctor and the patient, GP and psychiatrist. The scope of patient education regarding depression, which should be conducted at the beginning of treatment, is presented. Pharmacological treatment of depressive episodes is discussed, including the necessity of personalized drug choice, assessment of treatment efficacy, and recommendations regarding the duration of pharmacological treatment. The specifics of treating elderly individuals are also taken into account.