engleski

Less is more - possible option in the treatment of depression

Depression is an illness of modern society, which affects population of different age. Etiological factors differ, and frustration factors as a cause of depression are multiplying. Each new episode presents difficulties, both for patients and psychiatrists. Despite the increasing number of antidepressants we use in treatment, it is sometimes hard to notice an efficient antidepressant in an optimal- efficient dose. In resistant cases we apply combinations of psychopharmacs, and the choice of the same depends on the leading symptoms. We will present the case of a 67-year old patient where a depressive episode (in the terms of a recurrent major depressive disorder) lasts for one year. During this period she was treated as outpatient and inpatient with several antidepressants in combinations with other psychopharmacotherapeutical drugs. Despite regular treatment, mental state was worsening. Clinical presentation was indicating developing of dementia (behavior, cognition outages), which we excluded through diagnostic process. Psychopharmacological combinations (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics) were not efficient. Progression of symptoms leads to rehospitalisation. In further treatment, we followed the principle «Less is more» which resulted with an expected and satisfactory outcome.

depression; psychopharmacology

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