Treating depression in terminally ill patients can optimize their physical comfort at the end of life and provide them the opportunity to confront and prepare for death.
The dying process is characterized by feelings of sadness and fear. It is normal for patients at the end of life to worry and grieve the loss of their health. However, when these feelings become excessive and interfere with all aspects of the patient's life, they are abnormal responses to the stress of terminal illness. Screening for depression in terminally ill patients can optimize their physical comfort at the end of life and provide them the opportunity to confront and prepare for death.
Braun
Ursula K
UK
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Center for Quality of Care & Utilization Studies, Section of Geriatrics, Houston, Texas, USA.
Kunik
Mark E
ME
Pham
Catherine
C
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents