PSYCHIATRIC MANAGEMENT
For all patients with major depressive disorder, psychiatric
management includes a broad array of possible interventions
and activities. Essential components include
educating the patient and when appropriate the family
about depression, discussing treatment options and interventions,
and enhancing adherence to treatment. Developing
a successful plan of treatment for individuals with
major depressive disorder is also promoted by an initial,
thorough assessment of the patient. In addition, the psychiatrist
must determine the treatment setting that will be
most likely to enhance the patient’s safety as well as promote
improvement in the patient’s condition. These elements
of psychiatric management are described in more
detail below.