Navigating the Labyrinth of Depression: Guidelines and Strategies for Diagnosing, Managing, and Treating Depression
Target Audience: Pharmacy Tech
Course Overview
Depression, a prevalent and disabling condition, emerges from a complex interplay of biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Its multifaceted nature poses challenges in its identification, treatment, and ongoing management. Unlike many other medical conditions, depression lacks definitive diagnostic tools such as imaging studies, blood tests, or pathognomonic markers. This course reviews current guidelines and evidence-based practices
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Define and differentiate Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM V-TR and ICD criteria
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of depression
- Address the role of counseling and patient education
- Understand the role of screening tools in the diagnosis and management of depression
- Review evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies for depression
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. The Clinical Presentation of Depression
III. Historical Overview
IV. Epidemiology
V. Diagnosing Depression
VI. Differential Diagnosis and Comorbidity
1. Comorbid Disorders of Mental Health
2. Medical Conditions and Medications
3. Evaluating Suicidal Risk
VII. Treating Depression
1. Psychotherapy
2. Medications for Treating Depression
VIII. Clinical Pearls Regarding Antidepressants
1. Boxed Warning
2. Stopping an Antidepressant
3. Serotonin Syndrome
4. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450)
5. Adjunct Interventions in the Treatment of Depression
6. Older Adults and Medical Comorbidities
IX. Case Example Conclusion
X. Summary
From October 16, 2023 through October 16, 2026, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Ellen Feldman, MD, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo was an employee of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals until March 2022 and has no conflicts of interest or relationships regarding the subject matter discussed. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 / Mac OS X 10.9 or later / iOS / Android
- Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
- A connection to the internet
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".