What is the relationship between depression and chronic disease?

Most middle-aged or elderly patients with major chronic diseases have a higher chance of developing depression. For example, 18-28\% of adults with diabetes, 16.7\% of adults with hypertension experience depression. These numbers are higher than those in groups without chronic diseases [5, 6].

Is depression classed as a chronic illness?

Depression is also a chronic illness. It causes persistent feelings of sadness, apathy, or hopelessness, and prevents someone from finding pleasure in activities they once enjoyed. Depression can also cause physical symptoms, such as fatigue, appetite changes, and sleeping too much or not enough.

What diseases are linked to depression?

Some examples of chronic illnesses that may cause depression are diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV and AIDS, lupus, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Can chronic illness cause anxiety?

Researchers have found that experiencing a chronic illness puts a person at increased risk for developing anxiety or an anxiety disorder. Roughly 40\% of people with cancer report experiencing psychological distress that often takes the shape of excessive worry or panic attacks.

What are examples of chronic illnesses?

The most common types of chronic disease are cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis.

What are physical causes of depression?

Research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems.

What is considered a chronic mental illness?

Chronic mental illness refers to conditions with persistently debilitating psychiatric symptoms and severely impaired function.