Medicine taking behaviour in depression - part 2

Medicine taking behaviour in depression is erratic, resulting in poor outcomes and increased cost to society.Indeed, the illness itself has been shown to be a risk factor for poor adherence.The first article of this two-part series (Progress issue 1, 2009) explored poor adherence with antidepressant treatment and effect on outcome. In this article treatment variables that may affect adherence are explored alongside some of the interventions that have been proposed to improve medicine taking behaviour in patients with depression. The effect these had on outcome is examined and recommendations, based on current evidence, are made as to what should be done to improve adherence in depression.