Depression and anxiety in oncology: The oncologist's perspective

Authors
Citation
Rd. Jones, Depression and anxiety in oncology: The oncologist's perspective, J CLIN PSY, 62, 2001, pp. 52-57
Citations number
32
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY
ISSN journal
0160-6689 → ACNP
Volume
62
Year of publication
2001
Supplement
8
Pages
52 - 57
Database
ISI
SICI code
0160-6689(2001)62:<52:DAAIOT>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
Depression and anxiety frequently occur in oncology patients and have a sig nificant impact on patient quality of life. health care utilization, and ev en disease outcome. Depression and anxiety are eminently treatable, and the refore psychiatric assessment and appropriate intervention should form an i ntegral component of management strategy in patients with cancer. It is ess ential that patients are recognized at an early stage, so that resources ca n be targeted effectively at those most at risk of developing psychiatric m orbidity. Evaluation techniques that can identify signs or symptoms of depr ession and anxiety and can be incorporated into the program of a busy oncol ogy clinic or in the primary care setting are therefore needed. Diagnosis o f depression and anxiety may be facilitated by using primary screening tool s, such as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire, and by considering factors such as family psychiatric history, levels of family su pport, and degrees of pain suffered by the patient. In this article, the is sues surrounding diagnosis of depression and anxiety in cancer patients and the benefits of early intervention are considered from the point of view o f the oncologist.