Abstract

EZQUIAGA TERRAZAS, Elena; GARCIA LOPEZ, Aurelio; DIAZ DE NEIRA, Mónica  and  GARCIA BARQUERO, María José. Depression as an imprecise and heterogeneous mental disorder: Consequences for clinical practice. Rev. Asoc. Esp. Neuropsiq. [online]. 2011, vol.31, n.3, pp.457-475. ISSN 2340-2733.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0211-57352011000300005.

Depressive disorders constitute a very heterogeneous group of clinical syndromes which includes from depressive syndromes of doubtful clinical significance to very severe and disabled disorders of high risk for life. The depressive episode and major depression categories, according to diagnostic criteria, are also very heterogeneous and vague entities. The "depression" term, widely used in scientific literature, is excessively ambiguous. In spite of this clinical heterogeneity, there is a striking uniformity in therapeutic management of depressive syndromes, based excessively in anti-depressant drugs. Development of practice guidelines including not only biological but psychotherapeutic and psychosocial techniques is needed. Pharmacologic treatments should be restricted to more severe depressive episodes.

Keywords : Depression; Diagnosis; Nosology; Adjustment Disorders; Treatment.

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