Regarding the treatment of depression, research shows the best approach includes a combination of counseling, psychotherapy and antidepressants .
as a psychotherapist working in cancer centers for 20 years, I have often helped people who became clinically depressed during or after cancer treatment.
I listened to the questions and concerns about antidepressants, and have learned a variety of reasons why cancer patients are reluctant to take this type of medication.
Some people feel society condemns the use of antidepressants because they are associated with mental illness. Others expressed concerns about dependence and the potential side effects, including suicidal thoughts
Medication and emotional support are generally effective in treating depression and its symptoms - .. But only if you choose to seek help
depression is common in cancer patients
There are currently no available research on depression in patients with mesothelioma.
However, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported up to 25 percent of all cancer patients develop symptoms of clinical depression during or after treatment. Of these, only 16 percent take antidepressants to manage their symptoms.
The NCI also says that depression is a condition underdiagnosed, meaning it is probably more common than we realize.
Part of the problem may be that people do not speak to their emotional health. Surveys of cancer patients indicate that some patients are reluctant to disclose symptoms of depression (sadness, lack of motivation, social isolation and tearfulness) to their primary care physician or oncologist.
In addition, patients sometimes decide not to take antidepressants even after their doctor recommends and prescribes.
misconceptions about taking antidepressants
it is ultimately up to you to decide which recommendations to continue the treatment, but it is important that you make an informed decision. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about antidepressants that prevent people from getting the help they need.
I included some patients the most common cancer of reasons with depression told me not to want to take antidepressants, and how I responded to their concerns.
"I do not want my oncologist to think I'm crazy."
The vast majority of cancer doctors are very aware of the prevalence of depression and the common emotional challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. You are not their first patient to suffer from depression, and you will not be the last.
oncologists tend to focus on the evaluation of physical symptoms such as pain, nausea and shortness of breath during a visit, but do not be afraid to raise your emotional or psychological symptoms . Because your doctor does not ask specifically about your emotional health during your visit, it does not mean your mental health are not relevant to your care.
In fact, your mental health can affect your quality of life and ability to adhere to treatment.
"I heard that antidepressants can make you suicidal"
In 04, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a lot of labels for antidepressants include the following warning.: "in some cases, children, adolescents and young adults under 25 can have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. "
Many studies since then have found that antidepressants can be safely used. With close supervision by a counselor or doctor, antidepressants are more likely to reduce the risk of suicide in the long term by improving mood.
The bottom line is that when people are clinically depressed, they already have a higher incidence of suicide thoughts, regardless of whether they receive treatment or not.
"I am afraid of being hooked."
antidepressants are not addictive like alcohol, nicotine and tranquilizers. Because antidepressants usually take four to six weeks to work they do not provide an immediate feeling of happiness or peace as most addictive drugs.
You will not need a higher dose of antidepressants during treatment to achieve the same effect, and you want when treatment ends them.
to minimize side effects, doctors recommend taking antidepressants slowly at low doses. when it's time for the treatment to end, your doctor will advise you on how to wean yourself slowly medication to help prevent withdrawal symptoms, which can include nausea or insomnia.
"I tried antidepressants 20 years ago, and they do not work. "
in recent decades, the FDA has approved several new antidepressants, as well as improved versions of older antidepressants Most new antidepressants come with fewer side effects and are as effective -. Or more efficient -.. What the older drugs
Even if you have tried unsuccessfully antidepressants in the past, the fact is that many people have to try several medications before finding one that works for them is naturally frustrating being depressed and having to wait and see if a particular drug will work for you or if you will need to try another. However, the vast majority of people eventually find an antidepressant that works well for them.
"I heard the side effects are worse than the depression."
side effects antidepressants vary drugs and not all patients experiencing them. Overall, patients often say the benefits of being on antidepressants outweigh the side effects.
Antidepressant drugs that doctors prescribed the 1960s to the 1980s tended to have difficult side effects such as sedation, changes in vision and constipation.
in the late 1980s, however, Prozac has emerged as the first antidepressant in a new class of drugs called SSRIs, which generally have more tolerable side effects. Popular antidepressants today, including Effexor, Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac, have fewer side effects usually disappear after a few days of taking them.
Talk to your doctor about your depression
A symptom of clinical depression is negative thinking, which includes hopelessness and helplessness. This usually results in thoughts like "Nothing works to help me feel better, so why?" This type of thinking is part of the reason why depressed cancer patients tend to avoid reporting their symptoms and put off meeting with counselors or take antidepressants their doctor prescribed.
If you are struggling with difficult emotions related to your cancer diagnosis, you should talk with your oncologist or primary care physician about what bothering you. However, if patients are willing to raise their mental health problems and consider all treatment options available to them, they ultimately report feeling much better.
Whatever the reason that you are reluctant to take antidepressants, from a conversation about your mental health is the best way to understand what is wrong and begin to take steps to resolve the problem.
