Depression and its somatic equivalents are prevelant and frequent in general medicine practice and often not diagnosed, and lead to poor outcomes in any medical or surgical disorder or problem.
First think of depression as a possibilty and use the memory aid to help make the Dx, SIG E CAPS and DIG FAST. Often the patient may not be consiously depressed not see them selves as sad or moody or irrtiable but have a somatic or behavioral or relationship equivalent acted out at home, at work, at play, and /or in significant or not so significant relationships. These same people may have other signs of depression such as sleep and appetite disturbance, trouble with concentration and memory, lack or interest or fun or pleasure in certain activities, too much or too little energy, thinking that may be too slow or fast. Unipolar or bipolar depression should be routinely screened for, using the patient and also auxillary historians. Depression makes any medical issue worse and any medical issue can lead to depression. Screen for family history of depression, substance abuse, and impulse controll disorders. Remeber derpression untreated can lead to a chronic disorder with a possible fatal outcome of suicide and suicidal equivalents.