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How patients with depressive symptoms view their condition: a qualitative study

How patients with depressive symptoms view their condition: a qualitative study Background. Depressive symptoms are common in primary care, yet considerable professional controversy exists about appropriate management including the effectiveness of treatments. In addition, avoiding prescribing antidepressants at least initially is recommended. Views of patients themselves should therefore be particularly important in agreeing management strategies.Objective. To examine lay beliefs about depressive symptoms in primary care.Method. A total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients scoring positively for depression on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score in a primary care setting.Results. Differentiating depression from understandable reactions to adversity was difficult for patients. The wide range of consequences discussed included adverse effects on others, difficulties coping with feeling out of control and loss of self-identity. Negative images of depression, such as depression being a 20th century phenomenon, were pervasive. Views about medication varied. Various management strategies described included strategies of detachment, engagement in activities and blotting out symptoms.Conclusions. Patients' views about depressive symptoms are significantly different from conventional medical views. A disease management approach fits uncomfortably with patients' experiences. Acknowledging feelings of loss of control and loss of self-identity in consultations may be useful. The wide employment of techniques patients use to control their disorders, such as support from others, engagement in activities and working at relationships, may be useful to encourage in consultations as alternatives to the use of antidepressant medication. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Family Practice Oxford University Press

How patients with depressive symptoms view their condition: a qualitative study

Family Practice , Volume 24 (4) – Jul 13, 2007

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References (46)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.
ISSN
0263-2136
eISSN
1460-2229
DOI
10.1093/fampra/cmm032
pmid
17630269
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background. Depressive symptoms are common in primary care, yet considerable professional controversy exists about appropriate management including the effectiveness of treatments. In addition, avoiding prescribing antidepressants at least initially is recommended. Views of patients themselves should therefore be particularly important in agreeing management strategies.Objective. To examine lay beliefs about depressive symptoms in primary care.Method. A total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients scoring positively for depression on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score in a primary care setting.Results. Differentiating depression from understandable reactions to adversity was difficult for patients. The wide range of consequences discussed included adverse effects on others, difficulties coping with feeling out of control and loss of self-identity. Negative images of depression, such as depression being a 20th century phenomenon, were pervasive. Views about medication varied. Various management strategies described included strategies of detachment, engagement in activities and blotting out symptoms.Conclusions. Patients' views about depressive symptoms are significantly different from conventional medical views. A disease management approach fits uncomfortably with patients' experiences. Acknowledging feelings of loss of control and loss of self-identity in consultations may be useful. The wide employment of techniques patients use to control their disorders, such as support from others, engagement in activities and working at relationships, may be useful to encourage in consultations as alternatives to the use of antidepressant medication.

Journal

Family PracticeOxford University Press

Published: Jul 13, 2007

Keywords: Attitude to health depression primary care

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