Depression

Current Care Summary
Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Finnish Psychiatric Association
8.1.2020

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