Understanding the coexistence of alcohol misuse and depression.

This article sets out to discuss some issues of this comorbid disorder. Initially the article defines both alcohol misuse and depression and provides indications of symptomatology, many of which overlap. The article identifies that prevalence is high and draws attention to issues of risk, self-harm and suicide. There is a short discussion on causative factors and the article describes the interrelation of these two disorders and goes on to compare the evidence for a cyclic comorbid disorder, where one increases the severity of the other. It goes on to identify issues of assessment, case management and treatment, including a brief discussion on pharmacotherapy and three psychological therapies.