Major Depressive Disorder in People living with Chronic illness

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Not established across all chronic illnesses
Is it more common among people living with chronic illness? Generally higher, but disease-specific
Are people living with chronic illness at higher risk? Yes
How much higher is the risk? Disease-specific; no single estimate
How often can it be missed? High because somatic symptoms overlap illness
Does it show up differently among people living with chronic illness? Somewhat
How might it look different? Fatigue, sleep/appetite and somatic symptoms overlap disease
What commonly occurs alongside it? Anxiety; disease-specific disorders
What can it be confused with? Symptoms caused by illness/medication; adjustment disorder
Common screening tool PHQ-9
Separate screening tool for people living with chronic illness None.
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