Current Care Guideline «Depressio»1 and Summary «Depressio»2 (in Finnish)
Treatment of depression is based on comprehensive diagnostic, clinical and psychosocial evaluation. Brief psychotherapies (cognitive-behavioural, interpersonal, psychodynamic or problem-solving) are effective in mild to moderate depression; antidepressants in mild to severe, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in severe or psychotic depression. Combining antidepressants and psychotherapies is more effective than either treatments alone. After the acute phase, antidepressants should be continued for six months to prevent relapses, and maintenance treatment considered after three lifetime episodes. Primary care is responsible for treatment of mild to moderate depressions; developing psychiatric consultation services and use of nurse case managers are recommended.
Erkki Isometsä (Chair)
Elina Kinnunen
Hannu Koponen
Jarmo Lappalainen
Olavi Lindfors
Mauri Marttunen
Sami Pirkola
Kari Raaska
Jan-Henry Stenberg
Arja Tuunainen