Recognizing and treating depression in somatic disease

Depression is a disorder that often concomitance with other diseases and can influence negatively the process of treatment. Diagnostic criteria for depression are: persistent sadness or low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, fatigue or low energy.

It is very important to distinguish between real depression and adaptive and adequate to situation emotional reaction. Depression may be difficult to diagnose because of a presense of somatic symptoms and lack of sadness, and low mood. For screening in population of chronically ill we recommend special tests that show symptoms of depression (for example HADS-M).

To help patient with depression diagnosed as affective disorder psychiatric treatment is recommended, connected with psychological interventions. To help patient with depression based on psychological ground psychological treatment is recommended. Farmacological treatment may be also helpful in this group of patients.

In both cases not only the patient but also his family my need help.