Pharmacological treatment of a depressive episode and recurrent depressive disorder – guidelines of the Polish Psychiatric Association and the National Consultant for Adult Psychiatry

Abstract

Under the auspices of the Polish Psychiatric Association and the National Consultant in Psychiatry, on the basis of analysis of international guidelines, the expert group consisting of psychiatrists and an epidemiologist compiled recommendations for the treatment of a depressive episode and recurrent depressive disorder. The recommendations take into account the information that the patient should receive before starting the treatment, the selection criteria for the treatment method and the choice of the antidepressant, the method of assessing the efficacy of treatment, treatment monitoring, and the duration of treatment. Formulating the recommendations, the experts analyzed the source data for their applicability in Poland. The current recommendations of scientific societies and an analysis of the literature on the treatment of depressive episodes and recurrent depressive disorder broken down by the treatment of acute episodes and maintenance treatment, as well as the recommendations on the method of creating guidelines have been taken into account. Furthermore, the guidelines developed in collaboration with the Supreme Medical Council and the Polish Psychiatric Association, entitled: “Diagnostic work-up and treatment of depression in adults – guidelines for family physicians”, and recommendations of the National Consultant in Adult Psychiatry have been taken into account. The recommendations were discussed among the experts and accepted by the General Board of the Polish Psychiatric Association. Subsequently, the recommendations were modified in line with the Board’s comments and endorsed by the Association for use in the management of patients with depression in Poland.