Common mental health disorders in general practice

Abstract

Practice nurses are likely to see a range of common mental health disorders in day-to-day practice. Sheila Hardy provides an overview of these conditions and the treatment their patients will be offered Common mental health disorders cause human distress and large costs for society. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, common mental health disorders include depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Practice nurses will see many patients with common mental health disorders and, while not every nurse will be involved in treatment, it is useful to have brief knowledge of the available treatment options. In this article, the definitions and treatments of each disorder are described, and the responsibilities of health professionals looking after people with common mental health disorders in primary care are explained.