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October 2015
Depression and Chronic Disease
Clinical depression is a chronic mental illness that can be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both in more than 80% of people. Individuals with other chronic illness such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic pain are at higher risk of depression. Depression alone can be incapacitating, but when combined with other chronic disease, the outcomes are worse for both conditions.
Depression may contribute biologically to other chronic diseases. It can cause or make symptoms worse, and depression may affect behavior. Depression has been associated with more rapid progression of chronic disease, increased use of health services, and higher costs. Having two or more chronic diseases is associated with greater distress, poor self-care, less ability to follow a healthy lifestyle (physical activity, not smoking, limited alcohol use), and poor adherence to recommended medical treatment.
Depression affects individuals, families, businesses, and society. Screening improves the accurate identification of depressed patients and can lead to effective treatment. Treating depression has been shown to have a positive effect on disease severity and progression. If you, or a loved one, are dealing with a chronic disease, be sure to ask your primary care provider about a depression screening.
Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov –Medscape Psychiatry and WJM
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Chronic Disease and Depression
Presented by: Dr. Joy Reckley-Murphy, LCSW-C, DHA
Thursday, October 29, 2015
5:30-6:30pm
WMRMC- Hospital Auditorium
