What Is Depression?
10. Patient Education and Support
Patient education plays an important role in the treatment of MDD. It helps increase awareness among patients and their family members so they may seek early treatment in the case of relapse. When the patient and their family members are involved in the treatment plan, it can increase compliance to medication and therapy. Referral to counseling may be recommended.
Having an engaging family can be crucial in pediatric and late-onset depression. This is due to their role of being helpful informants and ensuring compliance to medication. Since family members tend to spend more time with the patients, they are also more able to motivate and encourage patients to change behaviors that perpetuate depression. Both patients and family members can also obtain more resources and support from support groups, online forums, and various organizations.
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