Schizophrenia and depression

Abstract

Depressive symptoms are common in people with schizophrenia and can be associated with suicidality, but are often either missed or dismissed by clinicians. General practitioners have a key role in initial assessment and subsequent monitoring of depressive symptoms, associated risks and physical health in patients with schizophrenia. Liaison with appropriate non-government organisations and public or private specialist mental health services can enhance GPs' management of depression in schizophrenia. Antidepressants, prescribed in tandem with antipsychotics, have a likely therapeutic role for persistent depressive symptoms in schizophrenia, but side effects can be troublesome. Although some o..