Patient Handouts
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Depression Due to a Medical Condition
What is depression due to a medical condition?
Depression is a condition in which you feel sad, hopeless, and uninterested in daily life. Several medical problems can cause depression. It
is not that you are just upset at having a medical problem, but that the medical problem physically causes depression.
As your physical condition improves, your depression will usually improve. However, if your health remains poor, depression can continue.
For this reason, you should seek professional help. The treatments listed above most often will help you to overcome depression or at least
reduce it.
What is the cause?
The brain is made up of billions of neurons (cells) that communicate with each other. This affects other parts of the body. Neurotransmitters
are chemical substances in the brain. The kinds and amounts of these substances control how neurons communicate. Too little or too much
of these chemicals can cause mood problems. Many medical problems upset the balance of neurotransmitters in your body, such as:
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heart or circulatory problems (such as a stroke)
brain problems (such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease)
hormone problems (such as thyroid problems and adrenal gland changes)
infections (such as mononucleosis, hepatitis, and pneumonia)
disorders such as AIDS
several types of cancer (such as brain tumors, thyroid cancer, and lymph gland cancer)
Certain medicines can cause or worsen depression:
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benzodiazepines
hormonal birth control
isotretinoin (Accutane)
levofloxacin (Levaquin)
some malaria medicines
some beta blockers
some pain medicines
In addition to medical conditions that physically cause depression, you may also become depressed about being ill. Illness reduces your
energy, sense of well-being, and social activities.
What are the symptoms?
Besides feeling somewhat sad and uninterested in things, you may also:
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be irritable
have trouble falling asleep, wake up very early, or sleep too much
have little or excessive appetite
be easily tired and low in energy
have low sexual desire and function
feel worthless and guilty
have trouble concentrating or remembering things
feel hopeless or just not care about anything
have unexplained physical symptoms
worry that you will never feel better
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and any drug or alcohol use. You will be asked about the medicines and supplements
you take. You may be asked to have some lab tests to pinpoint other medical problems.
Patient handouts provided by Merck Medicus. Copyright © 2012-2013 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.
Patient Handouts
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How is it treated?
Sometimes treating the medical problem helps depression. For example, treating thyroid illness may treat depressive symptoms. But
sometimes depression is still a problem after the illness has been effectively treated. Sometimes treating depression helps to treat medical
symptoms. For example, some medicines used to treat depression help migraines.
Do not try to overcome depression by yourself. Depression can be successfully treated with either psychotherapy, medicine, or both. Discuss
this with your healthcare provider or therapist.
Medicines
Several types of medicines can help treat depression. Your healthcare provider will work with you to carefully select the best one for you.
Before you take any medicine for depression, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it will not interact with the medicines you are
taking for your physical condition.
You must take antidepressant medicines daily for 3 to 6 weeks to get full benefit from them. Most people benefit from taking these medicines
for at least 6 months.
Psychotherapy
Seeing a mental health therapist can help with all forms of depression. Therapy may last a short time or may need to go on for many months.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a way to help you identify and change thought processes that lead to depression. Replacing negative
thoughts with more positive ones can help you with depression.
Natural Remedies and Alternative Treatments
Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are recommended for people with depression. A multivitamin and mineral supplement may also be
recommended.
Claims have been made that certain herbal and dietary products help control depression symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce
symptoms of depression. St. John's wort may help mild symptoms of depression. It will not help severe cases of depression. St. John's wort
may interact with other medicines for depression. Do not take St. John's wort without telling your healthcare provider. No herb or dietary
supplement has been proven to consistently or completely relieve depression. Supplements are not tested or standardized and may vary in
strengths and effects. They may have side effects and are not always safe.
Learning ways to relax may help. Yoga and meditation may also be helpful. You may want to talk with your healthcare provider about using
these methods along with medicines and psychotherapy.
How can I take care of myself?
If you are being treated for depression, check with your healthcare provider before taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicines.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial. To help prevent depression:
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Get support. Talk with family and friends. Consider joining a support group in your area.
Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax, for example
take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, take walks. Try deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
Take care of your physical health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet. Limit caffeine. If you
smoke, quit. Avoid alcohol and drugs, because they can make your symptoms worse. Exercise according to your healthcare
provider's instructions.
Check your medicines. To help prevent problems, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the medicines, natural
remedies, vitamins, and other supplements that you take.
Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.
When should I seek help?
Seek professional help if you believe that you or a loved one have the symptoms described here.
Get emergency help right away if you or a loved one have serious thoughts of suicide or harming others.
Patient handouts provided by Merck Medicus. Copyright © 2012-2013 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.