Medical

Depression Co-Occurring
with General Medical Disorders


Clinical depression commonly co-occurs with general medical illnesses, though it often goes undetected and untreated. In fact, while the rate of major depression among persons in the community is estimated to be between two to four percent, among primary care patients it is between five and ten percent and among medical inpatients it is between ten and fourteen percent. And an additional two to three times as many persons in these groups experience depressive symptoms. Research suggests that recognition and treatment of co-occurring depression may unprove the outcome of the medical condition, enhance
quality of life, and reduce the degree of pain and disability experienced by the medical patient.

What Is Depression?

Clinical depression is a common and highly treatable illness affecting over 17 million American adults with or without a co-occurring condition- each year. Unfortunately, nearly two thirds of them do not get treatment, in part, because the effects of depression are not understood to be symptoms of an illness. With proper treatment, however, nearly 80% of those with depressive illness can feel better, and most within a matter of weeks.

Depression: A Whole Body Illness

Depression affects mood, thought, body, and behavior. For some, it occurs in one or more relatively severe episodes, known as major depression. Others have ongoing, less severe but also debilitating symptoms, known as dysthymia. And still others have bipolar disorder (also known as manic depressive illness), with cycles of terrible "lows" and excessive "highs" If five or more symptoms last for two weeks or longer, or are severe enough to interfere with normal functioning, an evaluation for clinical depression by a qualified health or mental health professional is recommended.

Accurate Diagnosis Is Important

Since some symptoms are common to both depression and certain medical disorders, accurate diagnosis is critical to developing an effective plan for treatment. For example, symptoms of depression such as weight loss, sleep disturbances, and low energy, may also occur in diabetes, thyroid disorders, some neurologic disorders, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Other depressive symptoms, such as loss of interest or memory, also occur early in the course of disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In addition, achiness or fatigue may be present in many other conditions. In such cases, careful assessment of an individual's emotional state, and personal and family histories can help determine if one or two illnesses are present.

Other Diagnostic Concerns

The relationship of clinical depression to a medical illness can be varied. Depression can occur as the biological result of a condition such as an underactive thyroid, or can be the side-effect of one or a combination of medications, including over-the-counter medications. In such cases, the depression may be relieved by a change in dosage or type of treatment(s).
On the other hand, it is not unusual for a traumatic diagnosis, such as cancer, to trigger a period of depressive symptomatology including sadness, poor concentration, anxiety, or withdrawal. Careful monitoring of the length and severity of depressive symptoms can determine if clinical depression is an additional diagnosis.

A Message of Hope: Depression Is Treatable!

When depressive illness is a co-occurring condition, it should be treated. With treatment, up to 80% of those with depression can show improvement, usually in a matter of weeks. Common interventions include a range of antidepressant medications, focused short-term psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. ln addition, in special circumstances, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a safe and effective treatment, may be considered as an option. Which treatment is recommended depends on the severity of the depression, the type of co-occurring illness and its treatment, and, to some degree, on individual preference. In addition, maximizing the treatment of the medical disorder may also help to diminish the depressive symptoms.

 

Wilmes-Reitz Psychological

23632 Calabasas Rd., Suite 202

 Calabasas, California  91302

(818) 591-8270

wrpsych@aol.com
 

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