The Consequences of Depression
The October 16, 1999 edition of the very prestigious journal "Lancet," women with breast cancer and a high score of depression and anxiety were at a 360% higher risk of dying from their cancer than those who were neither anxious or depressed. Those not depressed or anxious, but with high scores of helplessness and hopelessness had a 60% higher risk of cancer death. There were no differences noted with regard to "fighting spirit" or the ability to control their emotions
Depressed men are at least twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease and/or suffer a heart attack. They are at 80% higher risk of having "sudden cardiac death." The increased risk continues for up to 10 years after the onset of clinical depression. (Archives of Internal Medicine, July 13th, 1998)
Depression (and not anxiety) appears to be an important predictor of rehospitalization among persons who have been admitted with coronary artery disease. (J Cardpulm Rehabil 1996 Mar-Apr)
Heart disease, blocked leg arteries, stroke, diabetes, lung disease, arthritis and cancer cause increased psychological distress, depression and anxiety (J Psychosom Res 1996 May - Netherlands)
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes (Type II) is significantly associated with depression in the elderly, which may harm the ability to keep blood sugar readings under good control (Diabetes Metab 1996 Oct - Italy)
Patients with depression are at an increased risk of dying from sudden heart death, having more symptoms and fatal coronary artery disease, and an increased risk of dying from either a heart attack or stroke. (Drug Saf May 1999 - Columbia University, NY)
"Depressed patients develop symptomatic and fatal ischemic heart disease at a higher rate than nondepressed patients, even after studies are controlled for known cardiovascular risk factors." (Geriatrics 1999 Feb - Columbia University, NY)
There is overwhelming evidence that major depression and other mood disorders, though common, are underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with coronary artery disease (blocked heart arteries). This is of paramount importance because depression appears to be a major risk factor in both the development of coronary artery disease and in death after a (heart attack). (Depress Anxiety 1998;8 Suppl - Emory University, Atlanta, GA)
"...these preliminary findings suggest that a relative cerebral hypoperfusion (lack of blood flow to the front parts of the brain) may underlie depression in elderly cardiac patients." (Am J Psychiatry 1999 Oct) (Note: in patients with stroke, the closer the stroke to the frontal lobes the worse the depression.
"...the SSRI’s show no evidence of harm. In fact, there is some evidence that the SSRI drugs may be beneficial for patients with cardiovascular disease." (Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1998 Sep - Columbia University, NY)
Depression and chronic back pain can be strongly linked (J Behav Med 1998 Apr)
"There is strong evidence that depression can have profound negative effects on the functional status, psychologic outlook, and possibly the medical outcome of cancer patients." (Prim Care 1998 Jun - Univ of Michigan Dept of Family Medicine)
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1991 showed individuals experiencing stress had more viral infections than those not experiencing stress. (In addition to getting sick more often, it’s clear that many cancers have a viral infection as their cause, and that prolonged stress can cause or worsen depression.)
Major depression is associated with a widespread reduction in serotonin 1A receptor binding - which did not change after SSRI treatment. (Arch Gen Psych, Feb 2000 - Sargent, P; Kjaer, K.)
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