By Andrew W. Kneier
Cancer patients often get depressed simply because having cancer can be a depressing experience.
Read on med.stanford.edu
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I was lucky that my type of cancer responds well to hormone therapy, with no chemotherapy or radiation. Despite my excellent prognosis and low chance of recurrence, my breast cancer almost killed me.
Persistent depression can significantly shorten lung cancer survival—even if patients receive the latest cancer treatments, new research shows.
It’s no surprise that patients with cancer might become depressed, but now researchers say depression could precede a diagnosis. Here’s what you should know about the link between these two conditions.
Three in four depressed cancer patients don’t get enough help; survivors tell what it’s like to slip ‘down the rabbit hole’ — and how to climb back out.
Look more closely and you’ll see.
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Michael Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 28 medals, has acknowledged that after the 2012 games, his longtime depression was so overwhelming he thought about killing himself.
Demand from patients seeking help for their mental illnesses has led to underground use in a way that parallels black markets in the AIDS pandemic. This underground use has been most perilous for people of color, who face greater stigma and legal risks due to the War on Drugs.
Most of us will resist getting out of bed, even if it’s just a second of internal grumbling. But if you experience depression, getting your day started may not be so much of an annoyance as it is a seemingly impossible feat.
What is the difference between symptoms that may arise in response to situational stress compared to signs of serious depression? How do you know if what you feel is normal and will pass, or needs further attention?
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It is understandable if the coronavirus pandemic has put you in a funk, but depression should be evaluated and treated.