Abstract

ANTIDEPRESSANTS USE IN MEDICALLY ILL PATIENTS

Prince Hepzibha Pharm D*, Prince Beulah Pharm D and Mahesh N.M

ABSTRACT

Depressions are a commonly met psychiatric condition in medically ill patients. It is recognized to be accompanying with augmented desires for physicians to accelerate death in medically ill patients and it denotes a main risk factor for suicide in this inhabitants. Prevalence rates of depression among medically ill patients range extensively, depending on diagnostic criteria used and patient population studied. Various studies establish that a preceding history of depression, poor social support, physical infirmity, chronic unrelieved pain and existential apprehensions were all accompanying with depression. Patients with end-stage heart disease are stated to certify prevalence rates of 36% for major depression and 22% for minor depression; while, those with end-stage renal disease have rates of depression between 5% and 25%. Evaluating depression in extremely ill patients can be a task for mental health professionals. Momentous attitudinal obstructions from both clinicians and patients can lead to underneath acknowledgment and beneath treatment of depression. Depression is treated with a multiplicity of diverse therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy comprises first-generation antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and second-generation antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).Skilled supervision of depression dismisses suffering and it is a fundamental section of the establishment of widespread end-of-life care. Several of these circumstances can certainly control with advanced psychosocial treatments. Physicians who care for failing patients must be proficient in this perilous area of clinical practice.

Keywords: Antidepressants, Depression, Medically ill, Pharmacotherapy, Quality of life.