Page 10 - Depression in adults: treatment and management

Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222)

health assessment, review the person's mental state and associated functional,

interpersonal and social difficulties. [2009] [2009]

1.2.4 Consider using a validated measure (for example, for symptoms, functions and/
or disability) when assessing a person with suspected depression to inform and
evaluate treatment. [2009] [2009]

1.2.5 If a person has language or communication difficulties (for example, sensory or
cognitive impairments or autism), to help identify possible depression consider:

• asking the person about their symptoms directly, using an appropriate method of
communication depending on the person's needs (for example, using a British Sign
Language interpreter, English interpreter, or augmentative and alternative
communication)

• asking a family member or carer about the person's symptoms.

See also the NICE guideline on mental health problems in people with learning
disabilities and the NICE guideline on autism spectrum disorder. [2009, amended [2009, amended
2022] 2022]

Initial assessment Initial assessment

1.2.6 Conduct a comprehensive assessment that does not rely simply on a symptom
count when assessing a person who may have depression, but also takes into

account severity of symptoms, previous history, duration and course of illness.
Also, take into account both the degree of functional impairment and/or
disability associated with the possible depression and the length of the episode.
[2009, amended 2022] [2009, amended 2022]

1.2.7 Discuss with the person how the factors below may have affected the
development, course and severity of their depression in addition to assessing
symptoms and associated functional impairment:

• any history of depression and coexisting mental health or physical disorders

• any history of mood elevation (to determine if the depression may be part of bipolar
disorder); see the NICE guideline on bipolar disorder

• any past experience of, and response to, previous treatments

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