Depressive Syndromes and Medical Comorbidities

Abstract

The prevalence of depression is substantial among individuals with medical conditions and is associated with poorer treatment outcome for both the mood disorder and medical condition. This chapter examines the prevalence, risk factors, causal associations, and treatment for depression in four medical conditions: cancer, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS. Several conclusions are evident: First, depression is unrecognized in about 30% of medical patients, and twice as many medical patients experience depression relative to the general population. Second, regardless of the medical illness, there are common risk factors for depression. Third, individuals with medical illness are most vulnerable to developing depression in the year following medical diagnosis. Fourth, the relationship between depression and medical comorbidities is bidirectional. Fifth, although there are promising psychological and pharmacological interventions for individuals with comorbid depression and medical problems, significant methodological problems limit this research. These limitations must be addressed to provide optimal care for those with depression and a chronic medical condition.

Prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among attendees of a tertiary care dermatology clinic in Muscat, Oman

“…This study showed that participants with skin disorders along with comorbid medical conditions were more likely to have depressive symptoms. This is in agreement with the psychosomatic view that physical illnesses tend to impact mental disorders and, conversely, that mental disorders impact physical illnesses . This observation could be explained by the psychological and neurobiological impact of these chronic medical conditions that may lead to the development of depression .…”

Prevalence and Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Attendees of a Tertiary Care Dermatology Clinic in Muscat, Oman

“…This is in agreement with the psychosomatic view that physical illnesses tend to impact mental disorders and, conversely, that mental disorders impact physical illnesses. 6,56,57 This observation could be explained by the psychological and neurobiological impact of these chronic medical conditions that may lead to the development of depression. 58 Furthermore, medications used to treat these disorders may affect the patients' neurochemical balance, which in turn can precipitate depressive illness.…”

Adhering to COVID‐19 health guidelines: Examining demographic and psychological predictors of adherence

“…COVID-19, health adherence, health behaviors, machine learning COVID-19 ADHERENCE | bs_bs_banner health behaviors has shown that mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression interfere with efforts to engage and persist with health behaviors (Hopko et al, 2017;Katon & Ciechanowski, 2002). On the other hand, those with greater health anxiety or worry might be expected to engage in health behaviors more fully.…”