Illness and Depression
Illness and Depression
Illnesses prove to be an inevitable part of one’s life. One can get affected with different types of illnesses which will vary depending on the cause of the condition. Most of the medical conditions are classified into acute illness and chronic illness. When the topic of depression comes in, then chronic illness is the type which is discussed. Chronic illness mainly involves a medical condition where the patient does not heal from the condition for a very long time. These illnesses include diabetes, arthritis, HIV/AIDS, lupus, and kidney diseases, to name a few. As per one of the recent researches, one-third of the population across the globe are affected with chronic illness. In this portion of the population, a decent number of patients suffer from depression. So, it can be seen that illness and depression are correlated with each other. Also, some of the experts mention that depression can also lead to long-term illness.
Chronic Illnesses which cause depression: There are several medical conditions which persist in the patient and lead to deteriorating effects on the body. Patients will be surprised to know that there is a vicious cycle which exists in between illnesses and depression. The illnesses which cause depression include the following:
- Heart attacks
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Cancer
Symptoms associated with illness and depression: Here are the symptoms seen in the patients who are suffering from disease and are on the verge of being diagnosed with depression.
- Sleep disturbances are quite common in the individuals who are detected with depression due to the presence of significant illness in the body.
- Increased anxiety in daily life is seen in the patients who are suffering from illness since long.
- Concentration problems are prevalent in patients with depression
- Lack of emotional feeling seems to be absent in the concerned individual.
- Fluctuations in normal weight can be seen in such patients. The individual can either have a sudden increase in weight or loss in the same.
- One can get demotivated in extreme cases and feel to commit suicide. Therefore, the family members need to take proper care of the patient.
Treatment of depression linked to illness: If a patient is diagnosed with a major illness along with depression, then he needs to undergo treatment for both of them at the same time.
- Psychotherapy: One of the most recommended treatments for depression due to illness is psychotherapy. It is popularly known as talk therapy and performed under the guidance of a mental health specialist. Different techniques are utilized based on the status of the patients and the opinion of the doctor. Even the major life events need to be discussed with the mental health specialist and counselors. Patients need to make sure that there is proper communication between them and doctors.
- Medications: Medications form an essential part of depression treatment. Patients can seek good results when medications are combined with talk therapies. This leads to excellent improvement to the health of the patients.
Thus, illness and depression need to be tackled in the best possible manner at the right time of lives before its too late. Every mental illness can be treated, and the patient can get back his healthy life if a certain level of awareness and action are implemented concerning the health-related problems.
