Introduction

Depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by relapsing episodes which often develop eventually into chronic depression associated with high rates of disability and death by suicide. Because of its high prevalence, depression is the No1 cause of disability because of mental illness. 

As most mental disorders, the onset of depression is during young adulthood, although it could manifest for the first time at any age. Psychotic symptoms, either congruent or non-congruent are not uncommon as well as cognitive impairment and significant disability. 

A significant proportion of patients will never recover completely and repeated hospitalizations or life-long protective living might be necessary for some. The majority of patients will live a functional life, however with significant difficulty, distress and misery.  Social problems such as long-term unemployment, poverty, homelessness, exploitation and victimization as well as problems with the law are commonly correlated with depression, and especially with its non-classic forms, which are complicated by the presence of personality disorders, substance and behavioural dependences, irritability and anger, as well as with hostility especially in psychotic cases. The treatment includes medication, along with psychotherapy, counselling and social rehabilitation. 

This WPA webinar on Depression clinical management will be addressed mainly to the clinical doctors, who would like to enrich their practical experience in the treatment of Depressions in order to bring our patients back to their families and even to their job.