Depression and chronic disease are often connected, with many individuals developing depression throughout the course of a chronic illness. As depression continues to threaten the overall health of local communities, it is essential that individuals recognize the risk of depression with certain diagnoses and the signs or symptoms. The following 4 conditions are commonly associated with depression:

Asthma

Most individuals with asthma experience clinically significant depressive symptoms in relation to the stress of having a chronic illness. 87.5% of individuals with frequent asthma attacks experience symptoms of poor mental health, in comparison to only 25% of individuals with minimal attacks developing symptomology. This is likely due to the stress of preparing for a possible asthma attack and the inconvenience associated with disrupted daily functioning. Depressive symptoms with asthma have been associated with poorer health, including “impaired voluntary activation of the diaphragm.”

Arthritis

Individuals with arthritis often have activity restrictions, resulting in depression and anxiety. Those with disability due to arthritis and consistent arthritic symptoms report more depressive symptoms. In addition, depression has been shown to lower the threshold for pain among individuals. The more intense the symptoms, the greater likelihood that depression develops. Research shows that the rate of depression among arthritis sufferers is between two-and ten-times greater than the rates of the general population, depending on the type of arthritis.

Cardiovascular Disease

Individuals who suffer from depression are much more likely to develop coronary artery disease. In fact, individuals with depression are about 1.6 times more likely to develop heart disease than a non depressed person. That is higher than the risk associated with smoking! Depression has also been recognized as a predictor of stoke. Persons with depressive symptoms are about two times more likely to have a stroke within ten years. Depression also tends to develop after a stroke affecting the left hemisphere of the brain, with more than half of patients reporting depressive symptoms within 18 months after a stroke. Individuals with cardiovascular disease and depression have a worse outcome across treatment than patients who are not depressed; the more severe the depression, the higher the subsequent risk of mortality and additional cardiovascular events.

Cancer

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a catastrophic event in an individual’s life. Some are able to process the loss and changes, while others may develop more debilitating depressive symptoms. About 15-25% of cancer patients suffer from depression. Depression in cancer patients has been associated with a greater desire for end of life in terminally ill patients and a lower level of survival. “We’ve learned that depressed people generally do less well in the oncology setting,” explains Memorial Sloan Kettering psychiatrist Mary Jane Massie. “This is probably due in part to the fact that because they feel bad — psychologically, physically, or both —they decide it isn’t useful to take their medications. And there can be a domino effect: They stop filling their prescriptions and may even start to miss medical appointments.” This leads to poor treatment adherence, increased depression, and poor quality of life. Depression screenings have been adopted in many major oncology centers, allowing for a major improvement in mental health among cancer patients.

Diabetes

Depression is twice as likely in individuals diagnosed with diabetes. “Depression among persons with diabetes has been associated with poor adaptation to the illness, diabetic-related complications, unemployment, and illness intrusiveness, a construct defined as the degree to which diabetes disrupts valued activities and interests.” Management of diabetes can be extremely stressful and depressive symptoms can interfere with the ability to effectively manage symptoms and treatment. Although the relationship between diabetes and depression is not fully understood, individuals with diabetes have a greater chance of developing depression and individuals with depression have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

How to Manage Depression and Chronic Illness

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven an effective treatment for chronic illness. Individuals who participate in psychotherapy experience improved treatment adherence and decreased depressive symptoms. In asthma patients, individuals who participated in CBT experienceda substantial decrease in asthma symptoms and depression. In cardiovascular disease patients, the combination of CBT and SSRI medication is an extremely effective form of treatment.

Chronic illness can have a large impact on the individual and the family. Would you benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic illness? Schedule a free, 15-minute phone consult with Whitney today.