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Week 0 of Antiviral Treatment |
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BDI Score: TBD BDI Question 9:
TBD |
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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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