Depression is more than feeling down or sad from time to time. It is a medical problem marked by ongoing feelings of sadness, despair, loss of energy, and difficulty dealing with daily life. If you have these feelings most of the day for longer than 2 weeks, it may be a sign of major depression.
Other symptoms of major depression include
People diagnosed with cancer may also have other symptoms of depression, such as
Symptoms of depression are not the same for every person.
Cancer-related risk factors such as cancer type, stage, and treatment may contribute to depression, but having a personal history of mental health issues or a lack of social support are more important factors. Cancer-related fatigue, pain, and weaker physical condition can also increase depression risk.
It's important to know that help is available for people with depression. Tell your health care team how you are feeling and discuss your treatment options with them. Getting the help you need is important for your life and your health.
If you have thoughts of suicide, dial 911 in an emergency or call, text, or chat 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
A person diagnosed with cancer faces many stressful issues, which may increase the risk of depression. These may include
About 2 out of every 10 people diagnosed with cancer become depressed. The number of men and women affected are about the same.
Certain risk factors may increase your chance of developing depression after a cancer diagnosis. Risk factors related to cancer that may cause depression include
Risk factors not related to cancer that may cause depression include
Not everyone who is diagnosed with cancer reacts in the same way. Some people with cancer may not have depression or anxiety, while others may have major depression or an anxiety disorder. For more information on anxiety disorders, see Adjustment to Cancer: Anxiety and Distress.
Medical conditions that may cause depression in people with cancer include
Anxiety and depression may occur in family members who are caring for loved ones with cancer. Family members who talk about their feelings and solve problems together are less likely to have high levels of depression and anxiety.
If you are a caregiver, watch for signs of depression or anxiety in yourself and talk with your doctor even if you think what you are feeling is normal. It's important that you take care of your own health and seek help when you need it. For more information, see Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients.
Your health care provider may want to discuss the following:
Your health care team will continue to monitor your symptoms to keep your depression from getting worse.
In addition to talking with you, your doctor may
You may have depression that needs to be treated if you are not able to perform your usual activities, have severe symptoms, or the symptoms do not go away. Treatment of depression may include talk therapy, medicines, or both.
Your doctor may suggest you see a psychologist or psychiatrist because
Most counseling or talk therapy programs for depression are offered in both individual and small-group settings. These programs include crisis intervention, psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavior therapy.
More than one type of therapy program may be right for you. A therapy program can help you learn about
Talking with a clergy member may also be helpful for some people.
Being physically active may help relieve depression and its symptoms. At least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week has been shown to reduce depression in breast cancer survivors.
Antidepressants may help relieve depression and its symptoms. When you are taking antidepressants, it's important that you use them under the care of a doctor. Some antidepressants take 3 to 6 weeks to work. To avoid side effects, you usually begin at a low dose that is slowly increased to find the right dose for you.
You may be treated with a number of drugs during your cancer care. Some anticancer drugs may not mix safely with certain antidepressants or with certain foods, herbals, or nutritional supplements. It's important to tell your health care providers about all the drugs, herbals, and nutritional supplements you are taking, including drugs used as patches on the skin, and any other diseases, conditions, or symptoms you have. This can help prevent unwanted reactions with your antidepressant.
Most antidepressants help treat depression by changing the levels of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain, while some affect cell receptors. Nerves use these chemicals to send messages to one another. Increasing the amount of these chemicals helps to improve mood. The different types of antidepressants act on these chemicals in different ways and have different side effects.
Several types of antidepressants are used to treat depression:
Other antidepressants include mirtazapine, trazodone, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Sometimes, other drugs, such as benzodiazepines or psychostimulants, are given along with antidepressants to decrease anxiety or improve energy and concentration.
Choosing the best antidepressant for you depends on
You may have to try different treatments to find the one that is right for you.
You may need to change your antidepressant if severe adverse effects occur or your symptoms are not getting better. Check with your doctor before you stop taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will reduce the dose slowly before starting another antidepressant. This is to prevent side effects that can occur if you suddenly stop taking your antidepressant.
Some people with cancer feel hopeless. Talk with your doctor if you feel hopeless. There are ways your doctor can help you.
Feelings of hopelessness may lead to thinking about suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, get help as soon as possible. You can get help from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the TTY Lifeline at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. More information about depression and suicide prevention is available from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Higher rates of suicidal thoughts, suicidal behaviors, and suicide attempts have been noted in patients with cancer.
Some factors that may increase the risk of suicide include older age, being male, and
Talk to your doctor if you have thoughts of hopelessness and are thinking of suicide. You may feel more in control of your emotions once you describe your feelings and fears.
People with cancer may feel desperate to stop any discomfort or pain they have. Keeping pain and other symptoms under control will help to
Ask your doctor what may be done to help relieve your emotional and physical pain. Treatment may include antidepressants. Some antidepressants take a few weeks to work. The doctor may prescribe other drugs that work quickly to relieve distress until the antidepressant begins to work. For your safety, it's important to have frequent contact with a health care professional and avoid being alone until your symptoms are controlled. Your health care team can help you find social support.
Most children cope well with cancer. However, a small number of children may have
These problems can affect the child's cancer treatment and enjoyment of life. They can occur at any time from diagnosis to well after treatment ends. Survivors of childhood cancer who have severe late effects from cancer treatment may be more likely to have symptoms of depression.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can help children with depression.
Your health care team may ask the following questions:
A diagnosis of depression depends on the symptoms and how long they have lasted. Symptoms of depression in children may include
Talk therapy is the main treatment for depression in children. The child may talk to the counselor alone or with a small group of other children. Talk therapy may include play therapy for younger children. Therapy will help the child cope with feelings of depression and understand their cancer and treatment.
Antidepressants may be given to children with major depression or anxiety. In some children, teenagers, and young adults, antidepressants may make depression worse or cause thoughts of suicide. The Food and Drug Administration has warned that people younger than age 25 who are taking antidepressants should be watched closely for signs that the depression is getting worse and for suicidal thinking or behavior.
For more information from the National Cancer Institute about depression, see
For general information about depression and suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health, see
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