What is co-occurring depression?

Having a physical illness can sometimes cause you to feel "down" or sad. But if the sadness is severe or long lasting, you may be experiencing clinical depression along with your medical condition. This is called "co-occurring" depression.

Clinical depression is a serious but treatable illness. Depression is more likely to occur along with certain other medical illnesses and conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, hormonal disorders, and following a stroke.

Although common, co-occurring depression frequently goes undetected and untreated. This is often because people wrongly assume it's a normal reaction to one's medical illness. Research suggests that recognition and treatment of co-occurring depression may improve the outcome of the medical condition, improve quality of life, and reduce the patient's pain and disability.

Symptoms common among depression and other medical disorders

• Weight loss, sleep disturbances and low energy may occur in depression and also in diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, thyroid disorders, vitamin/mineral imbalances and some neurological disorders.
  
  
• Apathy, poor concentration and memory loss are found in depression and in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
• Depressive symptoms may also include achiness or fatigue which are present in many other conditions.
  
  
• Medications for high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, and other medical problems can produce side effects similar to the symptoms of depression.

Depression can cause changes in eating and sleeping patterns, problems with memory and concentration, decreased energy, and feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and negative or pessimistic thinking.

Treating co-occurring depression

It is important to discuss any symptoms of depression you are experiencing with your doctor. Your doctor must first find out whether you have one diagnosis or two. This requires a careful evaluation, especially for illnesses that share similar symptoms. If depressive symptoms are being caused by the medical illness or are side effects of medications, your doctor may adjusted or change your treatment. If clinical depression is an additional problem, it can be treated along with your other medical condition(s).

More than 80 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. People who get treated for co-occurring depression usually experience improvement in their overall medical condition and a better quality of life. They also tend to find it easier to follow their general medical care.

Life can be enjoyable again! With recognition and treatment, clinical depression can be overcome! Talk with your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you think you may have symptoms of clinical depression. To determine, whether you are experiencing symptoms, take our confidential depression-screening test.

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