Chronic physical illness
and depression
FACT SHEET 23
WHAT IS A CHRONIC PHYSICAL WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN
ILLNESS? DEPRESSION AND CHRONIC
PHYSICAL ILLNESS?
A chronic physical illness is an enduring health
Research indicates there are strong links between depression
problem that will not go away  for example
and chronic physical illness.
diabetes, asthma. Chronic physical illnesses can
" Depression is common  one in five people will have
be managed, but they cannot be cured. People
depression at some time in their lives. For people who live with
who live with a chronic illness have a greater risk of
chronic physical illness, this figure is even higher. Research
developing depression.
shows that 43 per cent of Australians with a mental disorder
have a chronic physical illness such as asthma, chronic
Common chronic physical illnesses
bronchitis, anaemia, high blood pressure, heart disease,
arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, stomach or
" Asthma
duodenal ulcers, chronic gall bladder or liver problems.1
" Heart Disease
" Having a chronic physical illness puts a person at greater risk
" Stroke
of developing depression. The symptoms of chronic physical
" Arthritis
illnesses, as well as some of the treatments, can result in
" Diabetes
major lifestyle changes which may cause severe disruptions to
" Cancer
a person s work, social life and create financial difficulties.
Less common chronic physical illnesses that can also be
" Depression also increases the likelihood of developing a
associated with depression include chronic pain, Parkinson s
chronic physical illness, particularly cardiovascular (heart)
disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.
disease or stroke.
" For people with a chronic physical illness, depression
WHAT IS DEPRESSION? makes recovery more difficult. It can make it harder for
people to find the energy to eat healthily, exercise or take
Depression is not just a low mood, but a serious health
medication regularly.
condition which affects a person s biological functioning and
" Having a chronic physical illness can also make it seem like
well-being for a sustained period of more than two weeks.
an effort to connect with family members and friends. This
People with depression find it hard to carry out their normal
can make the person with the illness feel isolated and make
daily activities. Depression can seriously affect a person s
it harder for them to recover from depression.
physical and mental health.
People with depression can experience a prolonged,
uncharacteristic period of low mood, reduced interest in activities,
tiredness, disturbance of sleep and appetite, and negative
thoughts and feelings.
To find out about the general symptoms of depression, go to
the series of depression checklists at www.beyondblue.org.au
or call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636.
1 (beyondblue s Submission to Senate Select Committee on Mental Health, 2005).
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For more information www.beyondblue.org.au or beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
Chronic physical illness
and depression
FACT SHEET 23
3. Behaviour
HOW IS DEPRESSION DIFFERENT
l Stopped going out
FROM SADNESS?
l Not getting things done at work
Having a chronic physical illness can cause worry, stress and
sadness. It can be difficult to know if a person is just feeling low l Withdrawing from family and friends
because of all the changes in their life or if the person really has
l Relying on alcohol and sedatives
depression.
l Stopped doing things they once enjoyed
A person may be depressed, if for more than two weeks
l Inability to concentrate
they have:
" Felt sad, down or miserable most of the time OR
4. Physical
" Lost interest or pleasure in most of their usual activities
l Tired all the time
and
l Sick and run down
" Experienced symptoms in at least three of the following
l Slowness of movement
four categories:
l Slowness of thinking
1. Feelings
l Headaches and muscle/stomach pains
l Overwhelmed
l Sleep disturbance
l Guilty
l Poor appetite/weight loss
l Irritable
l Frustrated
CAN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION
l Unhappy
AND CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESS
l Indecisive BE TREATED?
l Disappointed
There is a range of treatments that can be effective for people
with depression and a chronic physical illness. Treatment may
l Miserable
include psychological therapies and/or medication.
l Sad, tearful
Psychological treatments
2. Thinking
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
l  I m a failure.
Often, people with a severe chronic physical illness and
l  It s my fault.
depression have negative ways of seeing situations and people.
l  Nothing good ever happens to me.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy helps people learn to identify and
l  I m worthless. change these negative ways of thinking and find ways to enjoy
themselves.
l  Life is not worth living.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
The way we get along with others is important to how we feel.
Interpersonal Therapy helps people find new ways to improve
relationships in order to begin feeling better.
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Medication
WHERE TO GET HELP
If a person is only mildly or moderately depressed, psychological
" A doctor who is a General Practitioner (GP) is a good
treatment alone may be effective. However, if depression is severe
first step. In some cases, the person may be referred to a
or persists, medication is often also needed.
mental health specialist like a psychiatrist or psychologist.
For a list of GPs with expertise in treating depression,
Medical research shows that depression is often associated with
anxiety and related disorders visit the beyondblue website
an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Antidepressants
www.beyondblue.org.au and click on Get Help or call the
can help rebalance these chemicals.
beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636 (local call).
Antidepressant medication can take seven to 21 days to
" Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental health.
work effectively and should not be started or stopped without
They can make medical and psychological assessments,
medical advice.
conduct medical tests and prescribe medication. Some
It s important that any current medication for the chronic
psychiatrists use psychological treatments such as CBT
physical illness, including over-the-counter medications and
and IPT.
herbal or natural remedies, is reviewed by a medical practitioner
before the person starts taking antidepressants. " Psychologists, Social Workers and Occupational
Therapists specialise in providing non-medical
(psychological) treatment for depression and related
How to help someone with depression
disorders. A rebate can now be claimed through Medicare
If you suspect that you or someone you know may have
for psychological treatments when a GP, psychiatrist or
depression, the following tips may be helpful.
paediatrician refers a person to a registered psychologist,
" Speak to a doctor about your concerns.
social worker or occupational therapist. A rebate can
be claimed for part of the cost for up to 12 individual
" Get help, support and encouragement from family and friends.
consultations (18 in exceptional circumstances) and 12
" Learn more about depression and the chronic physical illness.
group sessions in a calendar year. For more details, ask
" Become involved in social activities.
the referring medical practitioner. For a list of mental health
professionals who provide psychological treatment for which
" Exercise regularly.
a Medicare rebate can be claimed, go to the beyondblue
" Eat healthily and include a wide variety of nutritious foods.
website: www.beyondblue.org.au and click Get Help, then
" Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Find a Doctor or other Mental Health Practitioner.
" Limit alcohol intake.
" Go to a doctor for regular check-ups.
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Chronic physical illness
and depression
FACT SHEET 23
National Heart Foundation of Australia
MORE INFORMATION
1300 36 27 87
www.heartfoundation.com.au
beyondblue: the national depression initiative
Information on a range of heart-health topics
www.beyondblue.org.au
Information on depression, anxiety and related alcohol and drug
National Stroke Foundation
problems, available treatments and where to get help
1800 787 653
beyondblue Fact sheet 18  Depression and coronary heart
www.strokefoundation.com.au
disease
Information on stroke
beyondblue Fact sheet 19  Depression and diabetes
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
beyondblue Fact sheet 20  Depression after stroke
www.prostate.org.au
beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
Information on prostate cancer
Information on depression, anxiety and related drug and alcohol
problems, available treatments and referral only (local call)
SANE Australia
www.youthbeyondblue.com 1800 187 263
www.sane.org
beyondblue s website for young people  information on
Information and referral on mental health issues
depression and how to help a friend
The Cancer Council Australia
Asthma Foundations of Australia
13 11 20
1800 645 130
www.cancer.org.au
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
Information about cancer
Information, advice, education, counselling and support for
people with asthma
Lifeline
13 11 14
Diabetes Australia
24 hour counselling, information and referral (local call)
1300 136 588
www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
Mensline Australia
Information about diabetes
1300 789 978 or www.menslineaus.org.au
24 hour telephone support, information and referral for men
National Breast Cancer Foundation
www.nbcf.org.au
Information on breast cancer
THINGS TO REMEMBER
" For people with a chronic physical illness, depression
is common.
" Help and effective treatments are available.
" With the right treatment, most people recover from
© beyondblue: the national depression initiative, 2009.
depression.
PO Box 6100, Hawthorn West VIC 3122
T: [phone]
" It s important to seek help early  the sooner the better.
beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636
" Depression is not a weakness and people shouldn t feel
F: [phone]
E: [e-mail]
ashamed to seek help.
W: www.beyondblue.org.au
04/09
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For more information www.beyondblue.org.au or beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636