Improve your knowledge of guidance on common mental health problems

24 May 2012 03:49 PM

Common mental health disorders affect one-in-six adults, and cost UK employers £25 billion each year through lost work days.

One in three GP consultations has a mental health element to it, and 90 per cent of mental health problems are treated in primary care.

However, many patients do not seek treatment and often go undiagnosed.

NICE published guidance on common mental health disorders in May last year, which brought together in one place all of the existing recommendations for mental health problems.

The clinical case scenarios can help GPs put this guidance into practice. Informed by experience from clinical practice, the case scenarios have been developed by members of the RCGP, including input from Dr Carolyn Chew-Graham, the RCGP Curriculum Guardian for Mental Health.

The scenarios cover a range of issues including patients with comorbidities, longstanding anxiety, assessment of social care and assessment of the criminal justice system.

The following is an example from the case scenarios:

Shubha is a 26-year-old woman who has been referred by her baby clinic. She recently emigrated from Bangladesh with her husband and his family, and gave birth to a baby girl one month ago.

Shubha's husband says she is unhappy. She is reluctant to get out of bed, or look after her baby, and complains of constant stomach pain. A physical examination and medical investigation reveals no abnormalities.

Shubha speaks limited English, is unhappy about the appointment with you, the GP, and visits you with her husband who acts as an interpreter.

How would you tailor your approach within this consultation? And how would you confirm suspected post natal depression?

Click here to see suggested answers to this, and to attempt more clinical case scenarios.