Symptoms of apathy, poor concentration, and memory loss are found in depression and in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Depressive symptoms may also include achiness or fatigue which are present in many other conditions. Depression and medical illnesses may occur together for different reasons. Medically ill people may become depressed as a psychological reaction to the prognosis, pain, and incapacity caused by the illness or its treatment, as in cancer. Though occurring together, depression and a general medical disorder may be unrelated.
Major depression is particularly common in persons diagnosed with cancer, stroke, and diabetes.
A doctor can best make the diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment. Treatment of co-occurring depression can have a positive effect on the course of the medical illness, particularly when it improves a person's ability to properly manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. In addition, it can significantly enhance an individual's quality of life. The Office of Communications and Public Liaison carries out educational activities and publishes and distributes research reports, press releases, fact sheets, and publications intended for researchers, health care providers, and the general public. For information about NIMH and its programs, please email, write or phone us .