A diagnosis of a serious illness or chronic condition is a challenge for both the patient and for family and friends. There is the physical challenge of dealing with the treatment and the debilitating effects of the illness. There are financial concerns if you have to give up work or pay for transport costs to and from hospital. But there are unseen challenges placed on an individual handling a chronic condition, too, in the shape of the emotional demands.
Add the physical pain and the toll of treatment to fears over finances and whether you will be able to manage on your own, and it’s easy to see why those dealing with a major illness are more prone to suffer from mental illness such as depression.
Maintaining positive mental health can have a positive effect on an individual’s physical condition so it’s essential to know when you’re at risk of suffering from depression and to spot any telltale signs.
A study carried out by the Centre for Population Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh suggested that early diagnosis of depression in patients with a serious illness or condition can minimise its effects. More than 67,000 patients newly diagnosed with cardiac disease or diabetes were also evaluated for depression within four weeks to identify those who might require mental health services.
The Edinburgh study analysed the data from those evaluations to conclude that while there was an increase in the numbers diagnosed with depression, the increase was a small one with only a small number of those patients then going on to be treated for depression.
The study suggested that patients were too focused on the diagnosis of the major illness or condition to consider their mental health status and recommended that more research be carried out into diagnosis and treatment of depression in patients with a serious illness.
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