The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients

April 29, 2015

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Depression and Cancer

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients is the concern of everybody. Even the medics are victims of the two health conditions

The impact of depression in cancer patients has of late been receiving much attention. This is because of the health risks that are involved when the two conditions marry together in an individuals’ life. It is no wonder that depression is actually seen as the psychiatric syndrome that has received the most attention in persons struggling with cancer. Nonetheless the study of depression has equally had a host of challenges due to the symptoms that associates with it on a broad spectrum that ranges from sadness to major effective disorder. The prevalence of depression in cancer patients is further put to test because of the changes in moods are often very difficult to evaluate more so when the patients in question is also receiving treatment of cancer and continuous threats of stress, fatigue and the pain they experience.

Doctor Akoury agrees that even though many research groups have assessed depression in cancer patients for several decades in the past, the reported prevalence varies significantly because of varying conceptualizations of depression, and in fact the definition of depression is not standard and different principles use for the definition of depression. Some of the differences may include the methodological approaches to the measurement of depression, and even the different populations studied. Depression is highly associated with oropharyngeal, pancreatic, breast, and lung cancers. A less high prevalence of depression is reported in patients with other cancers, such as colon, gynecological, and lymphoma. In this discussion we are going to make certain reviews on the prevalence of depression in cancer patients even as we desire to get the perfect links between the two health conditions.

Depression affects 121 million people and is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. If not treated in time depression can lead to personal suffering and increased mortality. Although the prevalence of depression varies considerably globally, the most common symptoms of depression may include:

Depressed mood
Insomnia and
Fatigue

Looking at gender, women are the most vulnerable to be depressed than men. Even though the available estimates shows that major depression are common with people in their late twenties, research findings puts children also at risk where in every ten children, one will have periodic feelings of sadness. This has been seen as one of the greatest indicators of depression says doctor Dalal Akoury. Experts also put the prevalence of depression in pre-pubertal children ranges from 1% to 3% and from 3% to 9% in adolescents; however, the lifetime prevalence through adolescence is estimated to be as high as 20%. Although there is no difference in the prevalence rate between sexes before puberty, females are at higher risk after puberty. Depression in children negatively affects a child’s development and often manifests as behavioral problems or somatic complaints.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: The Coexistence of Depression

Depression is not alone ranger and it is commonly coexisting with other syndromes and symptoms, like for instance the anxiety disorders posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and pain. The National Comorbidity Survey data show that in a 12-month period, 51% of patients with major depressive disorders are diagnosed with an additional anxiety disorder. Patients with comorbid depression and anxiety disorders experience more severe symptoms, have a longer time to recovery, use more healthcare resources, and have poorer outcome than do those with a single disorder.

The symptoms of depression and personal suffering resulting from this disorder have been well described. The complex biological underpinnings result from disturbances in neurotransmitters and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dis-regulation. The last two decades have produced exciting science and advances in the understanding of the neurobiology and pathophysiology of depression. Electro-physiologic studies, neuroimaging techniques i.e., magnetic resonance imaging; computed tomography; single photon emission computed tomography; positron emission tomography; functional magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological studies are providing information about the neuroanatomical substrate of depression as we are learning more about how systemic disease effects vulnerability to depression.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Early Studies of Depression in Cancer Patients

When a significant number of mental health professionals began working in oncology settings, they asked oncologists to describe their perceptions of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in cancer patients. They were able to find common responses ranging from “everyone is depressed which is very true because they have cancer” to “no one is depressed; these are just normal people” and likely were a reflection of the respondent’s mood and coping style.

One of the first efforts in psycho-oncology was to obtain objective data on the type and frequency of psychological problems in cancer patients. Using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Third Edition (DSM-III) classification of psychiatric disorders, the Psychosocial Collaborative Oncology Group determined the psychiatric disorders in 215 randomly selected hospitalized and ambulatory adult cancer patients in three cancer centers by structured clinical interview. Although 53% of the patients evaluated were adjusting normally to stress, the remainder (47%) had clinically apparently psychiatric disorders. Of this 47% with psychiatric disorders, more than two-thirds had adjustment disorders with depressed or anxious mood, 13% had a major depression, 8% had an organic mental disorder, 7% had a personality disorder and 4% had a preexisting anxiety disorder. The authors concluded that nearly 90% of the psychiatric disorders observed were reactions to or manifestations of disease or treatment. Personality and anxiety disorders can complicate cancer treatment and were described as antecedent to the cancer diagnosis. The finding of 4% anxiety disorders was far below what would have been expected in the general population.

Thirty-nine percent of those who received a psychiatric diagnosis experienced significant pain. In contrast, only 19% of patients who did not receive a psychiatric diagnosis had significant pain. The psychiatric diagnosis of the patients with pain was predominately adjustment disorder with depressed or mixed mood (69%), but of note, 15% of patients with significant pain had symptoms of a major depression. Finally in whichever way you look at depression and cancer, these two conditions put together in an individual’s live can be very dangerous. We must therefore do all within our reach to keep distance from all these complications. One of the most important things you must keep in mind is the consistent consultation with the experts for professional advice. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will handle your situation with great confidentiality and most importantly offer you lasting solutions professionally. Your health should come first and therefore, schedule for that appointment today.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Depression and Cancer

Understanding Depression in Women in totality

February 2, 2015

Understanding Depression in Women in totality – What can be done

Understanding Depression in Women in totality is the beginning of getting lasting solutions.

In our previous article we dwelt much on the causes and effects of depression in men and in this session we want to do the same but singling out on women. We are dealing with depression because its effects are so painful to both the individuals, families and the whole society. Therefore understanding the depression in women is very paramount as it will enable women to avoid things that may make them depressed for the benefits of their general good health, skin complexion, premature aging and joyful sex life. To start with when it comes to depression, gender is very important. Remember that not only are women more susceptible to to depression than men, but the grounds of female depression alongside the patterns of symptoms are often different. Understanding the dynamics depression is attributed to various factors that contribute to it. Such factors are ranging from but are also not limited to reproductive hormones to social pressures to the female response to stress.

It is important that you are well informed of these factors as a worthy tool of defeating depression. Doctor Akoury will be helping us to understand the factors, symptoms and even effective treatment so that together women can reduce the risk of depression and keep the beautiful and glowing skin, reduce the premature aging among many other consequences accruing out of being depressed.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Effects, Signs and Symptoms of depression in women

Depression like any other health condition is not something to be proud of by any standard. The effects of being depressed is wide and broad in that it affects ones social life, relationships, career, self-esteem among other purposes. Statistics has it that in every eight women at least will develop depression in the course of life. Doctor Akoury suggest that if you’re suffering from some past or present guilty situations, or just feeling sad , tired and generally down in spirit, you may want to consult with your doctor because you could be suffering from a major or developing state of being depressed. This piece of information is not to trigger fear in you but to make you take prompt decisions for a better health. Remember that depression is treatable and the more informed you’re about it the better as this will make you effectively deal with the problem as it is a woman.

To be on the safe side, you need to know the symptoms of depression in women even though they are the same as those for major depression. Depressed women common complaints often include:

Depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Feelings of guiltiness, hopelessness and worthlessness all the time
Recurrent suicidal thoughts or even death
Irregular sleep patterns (sleeping more or sleeping less)
Appetite and weight changes
Difficulty concentrating
Lack of energy and fatigue

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Causes of depression in women

The intensity of women suffering from depression is always higher than that of men. Interestingly the variance is almost uniform in all racial, ethnic, and economic divides cutting across most countries globally. In view of this, different theories are attempting to explain the higher incidence of depression in women including elements like biological, psychological, and social factors.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Biological and hormonal causes of depression in women

Premenstrual problems – Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause the familiar symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, irritability, fatigue, and emotional reactivity. For many women, PMS is mild. But for some women, symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their lives and a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is made.
Pregnancy and infertility – The many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can contribute to depression, particularly in women already at high risk. Other issues relating to pregnancy such as miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy, and infertility can also play a role in depression.
Postpartum depression – Many new mothers experience the baby blues. This is a normal reaction that tends to subside within a few weeks. However, some women experience severe, lasting depression. This condition is known as postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is believed to be influenced, at least in part, by hormonal fluctuations.
Perimenopause and menopause – Women may be at increased risk for depression during perimenopause, the stage leading to menopause when reproductive hormones rapidly fluctuate. Women with past histories of depression are at an increased risk of depression during menopause as well.
Health problems – Chronic illness, injury, or disability can lead to depression in women, as can crash dieting or quitting smoking.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Psychological causes of depression in women

Concentrating on and revisiting negative feelings – Women are more likely to ruminate when they are depressed. For instance, most women would cry to release emotional tension, making effort to understand the cause of your depression by investigating from your friends about your depression. Nonetheless, this practice (rumination) in many cases acts as a facilitator of depression and occasionally even worsens the situation of depression. Yet on the other hand, men tend to distract themselves when they are depressed which is very helpful in reducing depression.
Overwhelming stress at work, school, or home – Some studies show that women are more likely than men to develop depression from stress. This is because the female physiological response to stress is different possibly because women often produce more stress hormones than men. The female sex hormone progesterone prevents the stress hormone system from turning itself off as it does in men.
Body image issues – It is important to note that in many cases the gender difference in depression originates in adolescence. Like for instance the emergence of sex differences during puberty is likely plays a role. This could be due to body dissatisfaction which increases in girls during the sexual development of puberty according to some research findings.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Social causes of depression in women

Just like in men, social factors also play a part in causing depression in women, along with lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills. These may include:

Matrimonial or correlation problems; balancing the pressures of career and home life
Family responsibilities like bringing up children, communication issues among spouse, or aging parents
Experiencing discrimination at work or not reaching important goals, losing or changing a job, retirement, or embarking on military service
Continuous financial problems
Death of a loved one or other stressful life event that leaves you feeling useless, helpless, alone, or profoundly sad

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Treating depression in women

Like in any other treatment of depression, women suffering from depression will also receive normal type of treatment as everyone which may include psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy. Even though this may be the case there are some special treatment considerations for depression in women as will be discussed by the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care. If you have any concern about the effects of depression and you need help, call doctor Akoury today and schedule for that appointment that will live you healthy and well rejuvenated all the time.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality – What can be done

Understanding Depression and the Causes of Depression

January 30, 2015

Understanding Depression and its Causes – Men are the most affected by Depression

Understanding Depression and its causes is very important for your health as it makes you take the right treatment solutions in good time

The demands of life around us are full of tight deadlines and great expectations. In our quest to meet these deadlines we are often faced with a lot of pressure from our authorities and our own responsibilities which also hang on our shoulders. Depression is a disease causing families lots of discomfort, people actually lose their sources of lively hood, sexual relationships is affected, skin complexion is under threat and in very fatal cases suicide takes place. This is why we want to take time and understand depression and its causes, how it is affecting us and the society at large. First of all we must appreciate that depression has no respect to anybody. It affects people indiscriminately in all genders, social class, ages and religion. If you are on this link now and is feeling depressed, tackle this with speed and consult with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care for a more professional approach in dealing with depression.

Doctor Akoury founded this facility to give you hope and healing. An appointment with her will save you from the risks of so many health; social and psychological complications which are associated with depression. Remember that we have this life to live once and all the opportunities offered by this life are supposed to be enjoyed and celebrated. Doctor Akoury understand what it means to be depressed and that is why her treatment is focus on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. As you consider scheduling for that appointment with doctor Akoury let us continue into the discussion by understanding depression and its causes in details.

Understanding Depression and its causes: Difference between feeling miserable and being depressed

In the course of attending to our normal daily assignments, we are bound to meet low moments from time to time. These low moments are often managed and do not last long. They come and we deal with them putting them behind us, they never dominate our lives and because of this we would say that in such moments we were just miserable and not depressed. However, if the low moments (depression) goes on for weeks, months, or becomes very bad, to the point that you find yourself stuck and unable to lift yourself out of it, this time it will be clear that you are depressed. This will begin to affect every area of your life which necessitates the need for professional help. It must however be clearly understood that depression is not a sign of weakness, and like I have indicated it cut across the board and has affected many famous and successful men and women across the globe.

Understanding Depression and its causes: What makes men depressed?

There are quite a number of things that are inclined to depression. Therefore for us to understand depression and its causes, the following points are very fundamental.

Understanding Depression and its causes: Relationships

Oh my goodness the trouble in a marriage or important relationship is the single thing most likely to make you depressed. How does it achieve this, doctor Akoury share with us the following:

Communication style

A difference in communication style can be a problem, particularly between married couples. For instance if a disagreement or argument makes you feel uncomfortable, you may chose not to talk about it. However your choice may not go well with your partner who may want to have it discussed. Therefore choosing to be quite may make your partner feel ignored. The feeling of being ignored may propel your partner to press you into the discussion which in turn will cause you to feel nagged and will tend to withdraw further which can make your partner feel even more ignored. The result of all this is that both of you will be depressed.

Separation and divorce

Men have traditionally seen themselves as being in charge of their families’ lives. However, women are more likely to start the process of separation and divorce.
Depression is more common and more severe in men who are divorced. This may be because, as well as losing your main relationship:
- You often lose touch with your children
- You may have to move to live in a different place
- You often find yourself short of money.

Pregnancy and children

We have known for many years that some mothers become depressed after having a baby. We now know that more than 1 in 10 fathers also have problems at that time.
This shouldn’t really be surprising. We know that major events in people’s lives, even good ones like moving house, can make you depressed. And becoming a parent will change your life more than almost any other thing. Suddenly, you have to spend much more of your time looking after your partner, and possibly other children. You may get very tired.
A new mother will tend to be less interested in sex for a number of months. Simple tiredness is the main problem, although it’s easy to take it personally and feel that you are being rejected.
You may have to adjust, perhaps for the first time, to taking second place in your partner’s affections.
You may have to re-balance the demands of home and work – there’s a lot more to do at home and you just can’t spend so much time at work.
A new father is more likely to become depressed if his partner is depressed, if he isn’t getting on with his partner, or if he is unemployed.
If you get depressed at this time, it will affect your partner.

Work

Work can be stressful. If your work makes you depressed, you won’t be able to cope as well. This will make you feel worse and less able to cope and further makes you feel even worse.

Unemployment

Besides relationship difficulties, unemployment is the greatest impediment to piece and this is likely to push people (particularly men) into a serious depression. Professional studies have established that 1 in 7 men who become unemployed will develop a depressive illness in the next 6 months. This means that your work may form a large part of what makes you feel good about yourself. If you lose your job, you will also lose other privileges that come with it like the company car, home staff like cooks, gardeners. Coming to terms with this can be hard to adjust to. Further to that being at home and looking after the children while your wife or partner becomes the bread-winner is another headache. From a position of being in control, you may face a future over which you have little control, especially if it takes a long time to find another job. And depression itself can make it harder to get another job.

Retirement

You may even find it hard if you retire at the usual time, especially if your partner carries on working. Although life may be less stressful, you may miss the structure of your day, your social life with colleagues and the sense that you make a difference.

Problems with sex

When men are depressed, they feel less good about their bodies and less sexy. Many go off sex completely.
Some men who are depressed have intercourse just as often, but they don’t feel as satisfied as usual.
A few depressed men seem to have sex more often, perhaps as a way of trying to make them feel better.
Some antidepressant drugs can reduce your sex-drive.

The list is endless suicide is also a factor but in all this prompt treatment is very vital and the sooner you do it the better.

Understanding Depression and its causes – Men are the most affected by Depression

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life

January 29, 2015

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life – Understanding why sex and depression don’t mix

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life has no relations, they don’t mix

The kind of life dynamics we are living in today is very demanding, challenging and competitive. In the process of trying to meet the demands of life, we often are faced with challenges at times which make us feel down and depressed. These feelings of depressions normally don’t last long and as soon as the issue at hand is sorted out the depression moment ceases. However when depression stretches for a long period of time then it becomes a point of concern. It can start to affect every area of your life. It must be remembered that depression and pleasures of your sex life cannot be friends by all means. In fact being depressed will take away many if not all of your sexual life pleasures. If you are depressed the whole of your life will feel it because it drains the color out of life’s pleasures, robs enthusiasm, and makes everything feel weak and flat including your sex life. It is estimated that about 35 to 47 percent of people dealing with depression find the mood disorder interferes with their sexuality. That percentage may even go up depending on the intensity of the condition of an individual patient.

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life: Why Sex and Depression Don’t Mix

The old saying that the brain is the biggest sex organ in the body is actually true in that nothing happens without the direct approval of the brain, doctor Akoury says. She makes emphasis that the brain controls sexual drive, arousal, and sexual function through the release of hormones and nerve impulses. Depression stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain, and that imbalance can cause interference with a person’s ability to enjoy sex or perform sexually. Besides these the following are also associated with depression:

A decrease in libido – The findings of a study of some depressed patients showed that more than two-thirds of respondents reported a loss of interest in sex. The decrease in their libido grew worse as their depression grew more severe.
Erectile dysfunction – Depression and anxiety are leading psychological factors interfering in a man’s ability to have and sustain an erection.
Inability to enjoy sex – Depression can limit or eliminate the pleasure normally drawn from sex. Depressed men feel disconnected from any sexual experience. It’s a dehumanization kind of situation.

Nonetheless besides these associations, the cure of depression can worsen the situation than the disease, and this too can be true when it comes to depression and sexuality. For instance we are aware that the antidepressants are part of the first-line treatment of the mood disorder, but one of their chief side effects can be sexual dysfunction. Decrease in libido is most often reported, but patients also have found that antidepressants can cause erectile dysfunction and inhibit sexual pleasure. Statistics indicate that certain patients are using antidepressants which are adversely linked to loss of sexual desire or trouble reaching orgasm.

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life: Reconnecting With Your Sexuality

The best way to eliminate sexual problems associated with depression is to treat and cure the illness. As patients begin to feel better about themselves they begin to see their lives improving in all sorts of way, including their love lives. Remember that seeking for treatment in good time will help you cope with your sex problems if you discuss your depression and its effect on your sexuality with your doctor and your partner. We appreciate that it can be very difficult to open up about these sorts of problems, but if your partner understands that the issue lies with an illness and not the relationship, he may be better able to support you through treatment.

If the antidepressant you take is interfering with your sexuality, your doctor can change your prescription to another drug. There are many antidepressants on the market now, and each has different effects on different people. You and your doctor can work together to find the right treatment for your depression with the least impact on your love life.

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life: Signs of depression

If you are depressed, you will probably notice some of the following:

Feel unhappy, miserable, down, depressed. The feeling just won’t go away and can be worse at a particular time of day, normally first thing in the morning
Can’t enjoy anything
Lose interest in seeing people and lose touch with friends
Lose concentration in most of the things you undertake
Feel guilty about things that have nothing to do with you
Become pessimistic
Start to feel hopeless, and perhaps even suicidal.

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life: In your body you may find that you

Can’t get to sleep
Wake early in the morning and throughout the night
Lose interest in sex
Can’t eat and lose weight
Comfort eat’ more and put on weight.

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life: Other people may notice that you

Make are making mistakes and losing focus at work
Seem unusually quiet and withdrawn
Worry about things more than usual
Are more irritable than usual
Complain about vague physical problems
Stop looking after yourself properly, in other words, you don’t shave, wash your hair, look after your clothes
Stop looking after your home properly you stop cooking, don’t tidy, forget to change the sheets on your bed.

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life: Anxiety

Some men also feel very anxious when they become depressed. You feel on edge all the time, worried, fearful, and may find it hard to go out or to face people. Anxiety can often also cause physical symptoms – dry mouth, sweating, shakiness, palpitations, breathlessness, stomach churning and diarrhea.

Different symptoms of depression in men

There doesn’t seem to be a completely separate type of ‘male depression’. However, some symptoms are more common in men than in women. These include:

Irritability
Sudden anger
Increased loss of control
Greater risk-taking
Aggression

Men are also more likely to commit suicide.

Different ways of coping

Men are diagnosed with depression less than women, but do seem to drink and use illegal drugs more heavily than women. It may be that, instead of talking, men use drugs and alcohol as ‘self-medication’ to cope with their depression. Men’s attitudes and behavior may include:

Attitudes

Some men are particularly competitive and concerned with power and success. If you are like this, it may be harder to tell someone that you feel fragile or that you need help. You may feel strongly that you have to do it on your own.
You may also worry that if you do talk to your partner – or anyone else – about how you feel, they will not be sympathetic.

These attitudes can stop you from talking to your loved ones and doctors about how you’re feeling so you don’t get the help that you need.

Personality

Shy men seem to be more likely to become depressed.
However, depression can happen to anyone, even powerful personalities.

Behavior

Instead of the issues about your feelings you may chose alcohol or drugs to feel better. This would be a terrible mistake not just now but in the future as well. Your work will suffer and alcohol often leads to irresponsible, unpleasant or dangerous behavior.
You may also focus more on your work than your relationships or home life. This can cause conflicts with your wife or partners.

All these packaged together will explain why depression and pleasures of your sex life can never mix together. Talk to doctor Akoury for quick remedies today.

Depression and Pleasures of your Sex Life – Understanding why sex and depression don’t mix

Tag Archives: depression and anxiety