[Personalised treatment planning for patients with depression - a guide that takes into account biological, psychological and social aspects].

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis of "depression" encompasses very heterogeneous clinical pictures. There are different treatment methods for depression, with psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment strategies being particularly relevant. There is increasing evidence that a personalised therapeutic approach, which takes into account individual biological, psychological and social vulnerability factors and resources, is useful. The article describes the specific impact factors that are important for treatment planning. In the presence of stressful childhood experiences, which are particularly relevant for the development of chronic depression, these should be specifically considered in therapy. As the inadequate satisfaction of basic psychological needs is a central factor in the development and maintenance of depression, the individual case concept helps to analyse psychological conflicts and motivational goals in greater depth. Two checklists are presented as instruments for this purpose, which - taking into account the biological and psychosocial dimensions, both in regard of deficits and resources - identify the factors relevant for treatment planning.