Connection Between Chronic Illness and Depression: A Psychiatrist's Role
Chronic illnesses are health conditions that last for long periods of time, many of which severely affect an individual's quality of life. These include, but are not limited to: diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain, among others. In and of themselves, the body symptoms of chronic illness can be overwhelming; however, often there are also psychological symptoms experienced from dealing with a long-term health condition. The most common mental illness resulting from chronic illness is depression. The nature of this association and the solicitation of help from a qualified psychiatrist can play a crucial role in improving general well-being. Making Sense of the Connection Major depression is associated with chronic illness, but chronic illness and depression have not been well explored. Those suffering from chronic illnesses are usually confined to bed due to bad physical condition, intense pain, and loss of interest in activities once dear to them or which gave meaning to...