Patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia are susceptible to depression. This protocol addresses the situation where depression in a patient with ataxia has not responded adequately to initial management in primary care.
Treatment in primary care — using medications, counselling, or cognitive behavioural therapy — did not achieve response or resolution of depression. This protocol describes the recommended next step following that failure.
Patients with ataxia, as those with other neurological conditions, are susceptible to depression.
In more severe or complex cases of depression and other psychiatric symptoms a referral to a psychiatrist/neuropsychiatrist in secondary care is recommended.
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