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Depression
Depression is a disorder consisting primarily of a depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities. Depression is more complex than feeling sad or hopeless. A diagnosis of depression requires that at least five of the following symptoms occurred every day for at least 2 weeks:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “numb” feeling
- Loss of interest or pleasure in once enjoyed hobbies and activities
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Sleep problems
- Changes in appetite and/or weight
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Social withdrawal
- Repeated episodes of crying
Diagnosing depression in people with cancer is a challenge because many of these symptoms are side effects of cancer and/or its treatment. Many people with cancer who have depression do not talk to their doctor or nurse because they think that depression is “expected.” This is not true. Depression can and should be treated. Most cases of depression are related to the cancer experience on the whole, but depression can be related to cancer treatments.
Studies have shown that depression (or mood changes) is a possible side effect of some chemotherapy drugs and other anticancer agents, and people with cancer who take these drugs are most likely to be affected.
People who receive treatment that results in low levels of hormones (removal or damage to ovaries or testicles) are also likely to be affected by depression. People who have a history of depression or of alcohol or drug abuse (before the cancer diagnosis) are more prone to depression. The more unrelieved cancer-related symptoms you have, the greater the risk for depression. Uncontrolled pain is one of the primary contributors to depression.
Depression is most often a psychologic reaction; among people with cancer, it may occur as a reaction to multiple side effects of cancer and its treatment. As a side effect of medication or the result of low hormones, depression is a physical reaction resulting from chemical imbalances in the brain; specifically, decreases in the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, chemicals that regulate moods.
Depression can occur any time during cancer treatment. It is most likely to occur during times of unrelieved side effects of treatment.
If other symptoms appear to be the cause of depression, treatment to alleviate those symptoms is a priority. People with milder forms of depression may find benefit in counseling alone (without medications). Moderate or severe depression is typically managed with a combination of psychologic treatment and medication (antidepressants). Psychologic treatment may include individual psychotherapy (counseling to explore emotional issues that contribute to depression) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (counseling to help a person change his or her negative thought patterns and behaviors). Cancer support groups may also be helpful.
Many antidepressants are available.
The antidepressants used most often for people with cancer belong to a class known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This class includes such drugs as:
- citalopram (Celexa)
- Combination of fluoxetine and olanza-pine (Symbyax)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Tricyclic antidepressants are also used, although they have more side effects than the SSRIs.This class of drugs includes:
- amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep)
- clomipramine (Anafranil)
- desipramine (Norpramin)
- imipramine (Tofranil)
- nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)
Other drugs for depression are available, and each antidepressant drug has different side effects. These side effects can usually be managed by adjusting the dose or switching the medication. Your doctor will work with you to find the antidepressant that works best for you with minimal side effects. Antidepressants do not take effect right away. SSRIs take about 2-4 weeks to become effective, and tricyclic antidepressants may take 3 to 6 weeks.
Exercise; stress-relieving strategies, such as deep-breathing exercises and imagery; and support from family and friends can help you cope better with daily life with cancer and perhaps reduce the risk of depression.
You should talk to your doctor about the possibility of depression occurring as a side effect of your prescribed cancer treatment. Call your doctor’s office if you have five or more symptoms of depression that last for 2 weeks.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Have thoughts of suicide
- Are unable to eat or sleep
- Feel emotions that interfere with daily activities for more than a few days
- Are severely restless
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