Management of depression. Current trends in primary care.

Depression is a common illness that may be difficult to detect, especially in patients with concurrent illness. Fortunately, depression is usually treatable. Identifying the optimal antidepressant agent requires careful consideration of the patient's age, health status, and history of response to antidepressants. Other considerations include the potential for drug interactions, adverse effects, and cost of drug therapy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are well tolerated and are considered by many to be the agents of choice in primary care treatment of depression because of their favorable adverse-effect profile. Lifelong treatment may be required because of the risk of recurrence. Primary care physicians may wish to collaborate with psychiatrists or psychologists when treating atypical depression.