OBJECTIVE: Depression is a frequent and chronic condition with high levels of functional disability. Brazilian Medical Association Guidelines project proposed guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of the most common medical disorders. The objective of this paper is to present the original document that originated the abbreviated version available at the electronic address of Brazilian Medical Association. METHODS: This paper was based on guidelines developed in other countries and systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials and when absent, observational studies and recommendations from experts. Brazilian Medical Association proposed this methodology for the whole project. RESULTS: The following aspects are presented: prevalence, demographics, disability, diagnostics and sub-diagnosis, efficacy of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment, costs and side-effects of different classes of available drugs in Brazil. Planning of different phases of treatment is22 also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines are a good tool helping clinical decisions and are a reference for an attitude based on levels of evidence.
Depression; Guidelines; Diagnosis; Treatment
