Depression Treatment Guidelines
NICE Guidelines For Depression: An Easy-To-Read Summary
Depression is a widespread mental health issue affecting millions of people. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provide guidance for diagnosing and treating depression.
This article simplifies the NICE recommendations for people aged 18 and older. We hope this informs and helps you to better understand your options.
Depression in Adults
Depression includes various symptoms, such as persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Depression can occur at different severity levels. This fact is reflected in the NICE treatment guidelines. Beware of online self diagnosis of depression.
Treatment for depression should be tailored to a person's needs. Their physical health, personal circumstances and preferences should also be considered.
Treatment Guidance and Options
The NICE guideline recommends treatments for depression in adults based on a 'stepped care' approach. This simply means that different levels of treatment intensity should be offered.
NICE outlines four main steps:
Step 1: Recognition and Assessment
Healthcare professionals should assess individuals experiencing symptoms of depression. Assessment should account for the severity and duration of their symptoms. This assessment may involve families and carers, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the person's situation.
Step 2: Low-Intensity Treatments (First-Line Treatments)
For mild depression, the NICE guideline suggests low-intensity treatments as first-line treatments. These may include:
Guided self-help resources
Exercise programs to improve physical health
Online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Step 3: High-Intensity Treatments
Step 3 treatments are recommended for moderate/severe depression, or when first line treatments don't work well. High-intensity treatments include:
In person CBT or interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Behavioural activation
Medication prescribed by healthcare professionals
Step 4: Specialist Treatments
For chronic depression or cases where other treatments haven't been effective, specialist treatments may be necessary. These can include:
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
More intensive psychological therapies
Shared Decision Making and Choice of Treatments
The NICE guideline on depression emphasises the importance of shared decisions between individuals and healthcare professionals. People should be involved in choosing treatments that best suit their needs and preferences.
Mental health services should offer a range of treatment options. This allows people to make informed care choices. The stepped approach ensures that individuals receive appropriate treatments based on depression severity and previous treatment response.
Summary
The NICE guideline for depression in adults provides a clear framework for depression diagnosis and treatment.
Healthcare professionals can support people with depression in their journey towards improved mental health. They can do this by promoting shared decision-making and offering a choice of treatments.
It is vital to seek immediate help if you, or someone you care about is experiencing depression symptoms.
Feeling uncomfortable about seeking help?
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer depression and other wellbeing issues. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
