Major depression and demoralization in cancer patients: diagnostic and treatment considerations.
Major depression and demoralization are very common in patients with cancer. A discussion of the diagnostic specificity of major depression and demoralization (also known as adjustment disorder) is presented here, followed by a review of some effects of comorbid depression and cancer. Finally, there are a brief review of studies of antidepressant pharmacotherapy in cancer patients, a treatment algorithm for antidepressant therapy, and suggestions for treatment of demoralization.
Angelino
A F
AF
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. aangelino@jhmi.edu
Treisman
G J
GJ
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000465:Algorithms; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003376:Counseling; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011613:Psychotherapy
D000928:Antidepressive Agents