Skip to main content

Viatris Sdn. Bhd. recognizes the public concern in relation to COVID-19. Click here to know about Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cardiovascular
    • High Blood Pressure
      • About High Blood Pressure
      • High blood pressure causes
      • Morning blood pressure
      • High blood pressure and stroke
      • Managing high blood pressure
      • Keeping blood pressure stable
    • Stroke
    • Heart failure
    • Heart attacks
    • High cholesterol
      • About high cholesterol
      • High cholesterol risk factors
      • Managing high cholesterol
      • Facts about cholesterol
  • Pain
    • Know your headache
    • Protect your lower back
    • Low back pain
    • Chronic pain
    • Diabetic Nerve Pain Center
    • Helping someone in pain
    • Lower back pain center
    • Nerve pain center
    • Understanding Nerve Pain
    • Understanding joint pain
    • Staying ahead of the pain
  • Diabetes
    • Understanding Diabetes
    • Diabetes risk factors
    • Managing diabetes
    • Complications of diabetes
    • Fasting and diabetes
    • Foot care
  • Healthy living
    • Maintaining a healthy weight
    • Exercise
    • Diet
    • Getting enough sleep
    • Smoking cessation
    • Social engagement and health
    • Chronic illness and depression
    • Fatigue
    • Relaxation techniques
    • Downside of sitting
    • Understanding depression
    • How grief affect your health
  • Medication
    • About Medication Adherence
    • Medications adherence value
    • Improving medication adherence
    • Overmedicating
  • Tips and FAQs
    • Before taking your readings
    • Getting ready for travelling
    • What to do during emergencies
    • Family health history
    • Healthy aging
    • Questions for your doctor
    • FAQs
  • Videos
English (Malaysia)
  • English (Malaysia)
  • Melayu (Malaysia)
  • 中文(中国)

You are now leaving Viatris Myhealth Mylife to visit another website.

You are now leaving Viatris Myhealth Mylife. Links to other sites are provided as a convenience, and Viatris does not take responsibility for the content of linked sites.

Chronic Illness and Depression

Chronic illness and depression

People with chronic medical illness are at a high risk of developing depression. Some very serious medical conditions can trigger depression.

  1. Home
  2. Healthy living
  3. Chronic illness and depression
  • Chronic illness and depression
  • Symptoms to look for
  • How to get help2
  • References

Chronic illness and depression

People with chronic medical illness are at a high risk of developing depression. Normal life events, even in the absence of a chronic illness, can cause depressive episodes. Depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. So, a chronic illness which interferes with a person’s ability to function well can be a major contributor to depression. The relationship between chronic illness and depression is complex and may vary from person to person.1,2

Further, chronic illness may occur before depression starts, may cause depression, or may even be a result of it. Some very serious medical conditions can trigger depression. A study reported that 40% of people with post-traumatic stress disorder experienced depression 4 months after the initial traumatic event.2

Symptoms to look for

symptom1Loss of interest in usual activities

Symptoms to Look ForSignificant changes in appetite or weight unrelated to chronic illness

symptom1Loss of sleep or sleeping too much

symptom3Fatigue that is unrelated to chronic illness

 

symptom4Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

symptom6 Slow thinking or difficulty concentrating

symptom7Suicidal thoughts or actions

 

If you are managing a chronic illness and notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor.3 If you experience the symptoms of depression, you can follow the steps below to improve your situation:2,4

doctor

See your doctor as soon as possible. Do not wait to get evaluated.

fitnesss

Discuss a good fitness routine with your doctor. Stay active with appropriate exercises for your well-being and medical condition.

councelling

Explore the option of “talk therapy” (or psychotherapy) with a professional. There are many types of psychotherapy to help manage negative thinking or see yourself and your situation in more positive ways.

medications

Understand your treatment options. For mild or moderate depression, psychotherapy may be the best option. For more severe or recurring depression, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is often recommended.

How to get help2

How to Get Help

Your family doctor can help you decide if you should see a mental health specialist. He or she can also refer you to an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist.

How to Get Help

Community mental health centers and peer support groups can help provide support and guidance.

hospital

If you have thoughts of suicide or have attempted suicide, and are not sure where to seek help, visit an emergency room doctor who can provide temporary help and point you in the right direction to get further support.

help

Do not overlook depression occurring with a chronic illness. It is important to get educated about depression and get the help you need.

References

  1. About the Multiple Chronic Conditions Initiative | Initiative on Multiple Chronic Conditions | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: About the Multiple Chronic Conditions Initiative [Internet]. hhs.gov. 2016 [Cited 11 June 2019]. Available at https://www.hhs.gov/ash/about-ash/multiple-chronic-conditions/about-mcc/index.html
  2. Mackell JA. Recognizing and Managing Depression When You Have a Chronic Illness [Internet]. 2014 [Cited 11 June 2019]. Available at https://www.gethealthystayhealthy.com/articles/recognizing-and-managing-depression-when-you-have-chronic-illness
  3. Know the warning signs | National Alliance on Mental Illness: Learn More [Internet]. nami.org. 2019 [Cited 11 June 2019]. Available at https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Know-the-Warning-Signs
  4. Depression | National Institute of Mental Health: Health Topics [Internet]. nimh.nih.gov. 2018 [Cited 11 June 2019]. Available at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
NON-2022-4521-17March2022

Viatris Sdn. Bhd.

Reg. No: 201801018158 (1280174-H)

(formerly known as Upjohn (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.)

15-03 & 15-04, Level 15, Imazium,

No. 8, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Uptown,

47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Tel: 603-7733 8005

© 2023 Viatris Inc. All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy Main Glossary About Us
VIATRIS Logo