Depression is a
difficult illness to recognize and treat all on its own, but all too often the
sufferers are dealing with one of more illnesses at the same time. A physical illness can trigger
depression, so it often co-exists with other diseases and disorders. Following
are several types of illnesses that people often deal with on top of
depression.
Major Medical
Procedures
Major medical
procedures are often coupled with depression. If the person was extremely ill or
disabled before the procedure, they may already be suffering. It is not uncommon
that depression sets in any time someone goes through a trauma of any sort, and
this is especially true when surgery is involved. Surgery and the major illness
that required it take a hard toll on a person's psyche. The physical pain
involved can itself wear one down and make him vulnerable to depression setting
in. Also major surgery often includes significant recovery time. Many people
sink into depression in this stage because they cannot physically do what they
are used to being able to do. Depressed people often turn on their loved ones
who are trying to care for them because they feel inadequate that they cannot do
it for themselves or they may have other erroneous, irrational thoughts and
feelings about the person. Heart disease, pancreatic
cancer, Parkinson's disease, and certain types of strokes are specifically know
to be directly related to bouts of depression.
Other Psychological
Problems
Many
psychological disorders are often paired with one or more bouts of depression.
Anxiety and panic disorders often make it difficult for a person to function as
they would like, sending them into a bought of depression. Sometimes a depressed
person develops an anxiety or panic disorder because they are so upset about the
symptoms of that disorder. Other major psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and multiple
personality disorder are also commonly linked with depression. Just as major surgery is a physical
trauma that can leave one open to depression, psychological trauma can one to it
as well.
Eating
Disorders
Eating disorders
such as anorexia and bulimia are almost always paired with bouts of depression.
This can occur at any time during the disorder. Sometimes the depressive episode
seems to actually come before the eating disorder. At other times, it seems to
develop while the person is still actively participating in this disorder. At
still other times, the depression does not seem to set in until after recovery
has begun. Almost every time though, an eating disorder will be doubled with a
depressive episode at some point. It can be hard to tell which actually comes
first, but the important thing to remember is that both need to be treated and
resolved. Correcting one
without the other is counterproductive.
Almost all major
illnesses make a person more vulnerable to a depressive episode. It doesn't
matter if the illness is strictly physical, psychological, or a combination of
both. Depression is always a possibility any time a person experiences a
significant trauma, and most major illnesses are definitely traumatic. If you or a
loved one are suffering from a major illness, be sure to keep a special eye out
in case depression begins to rear its ugly head.
