Cornering Depression: Update in the Diagnosing and Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

With the ongoing shortage of psychiatrists and other mental health providers across the country, the onus of mental health treatment is falling largely onto primary care physicians and non-psychiatric specialists. The purpose of this presentation is to increase the knowledge and confidence of non-psychiatric providers in the diagnosing and management of major depressive disorder (MDD) using a variety of evidence-based treatments. This presentation will start with a brief review of MDD diagnostic criteria and pathophysiology, will then move on to a review of the clinical details of classic pharmacological MDD treatments (i.e. antidepressants, augmenting agents), and will conclude with a discussion of the clinical details of newer interventional treatment modalities (i.e. psychedelics, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and electroconvulsive therapy).

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Review the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and briefly discuss its proposed pathophysiology.
  2. Review the mechanisms of action of classic MDD treatments (i.e. antidepressants, augmenting agents), their safety and efficacy, and when their use is indicated /@ should be considered.
  3. Discuss the proposed mechanism of action of interventional MDD treatments (i.e. Psychedelics, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)), their safety and efficacy, and when their use is indicated /@ should be considered.

Statement of Accreditation
The Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. TOMA designates is program for a maximum of 1 AOA Category 1-A credits and will report CME credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.

Grievance Policy
All grievances may be directed to TOMA's Executive Director at toma@txosteo.org. All grievances will receive an initial response within 30 days of receipt.  If the participant does not receive a satisfactory response, they can submit a complaint to the Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA at 142 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611.