Logo: United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Depression and Its Impact in Hepatitis C Infection Department of Veteran´s Affairs VA Hepatitis C Resource Center
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Layout Element Administering BDI
  Image of Vivian jesturing.
Week 0 of Antiviral Treatment
BDI Score: TBD
BDI Question 9: TBD

Preparing to Administer the BDI
At first, I was really skeptical about using the Beck Depression Inventory. I thought I was pretty good at picking up on when my patients were depressed, and I also thought the BDI seemed kind of intrusive. However, once I got used to the idea and learned how to explain it to my patients, I found that they really didn't mind completing the questions. What really surprised me was that some of my patients had a lot more depression symptoms than I was aware of. I find it particularly helpful in getting an early warning signal that their symptoms may be escalating from therapy. By using the BDI in addition to clinical assessment, I'm much more likely to identify depression and start antidepressant therapy. As a result, fewer of my patients stop their therapy for the hepatitis C because of problems relating to depression.

A screening instrument, such as the BDI, should be given prior to initiating treatment with antiviral therapy to screen for depression. Prior to administering the questionnaire, the patient's psychiatric history needs to be reviewed.

 
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