Depression (relating to a cancer diagnosis)

Chapter 7: Depression

Overview:

• Defines and examines ‘depression’ and its factors
• Identifies and explains psychotherapeutic approaches
• Lists and discusses clinical tools and strategies
• Explains the role of antidepressant medication
• Assesses the risk of suicide and responses in the clinician
• Provides resource sheets complete with graphs, explanations and schedules

Description:

This chapter contends that emotional concerns should always be addressed as part of a comprehensive psychosocial intervention, which usually involves strategies to deal with physical, practical, social and spiritual needs. The chapter explores these psychotherapeutic approaches in relation to depression and assesses the risk of suicide in cancer patients and antidepressant medication which can be used as a remedy.

Topics:

• Depression in the acute phases of care
  • The prevalence of depression
  • Symptoms of depression
  • Guidelines for assessing depression
• Ways of managing depressive symptoms
• Psychotherapeutic approaches
• Clinical tools and strategies
  • Supportive counselling
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• The role of antidepressant medication
• The risk of suicide
  • Assessing suicidal risk
  • Managing suicidal intent
• Depression at the end of life
• Responses in the clinician
• Putting it all together
• Resources for health professionals and for patients
• References
• Resource sheet 7.1 Identifying values in life
• Resource sheet 7.2 Mindfulness in everyday life
• Resource sheet 7.3 The activity schedule
• Resource sheet 7.4 Things to try when feeling down or lacking in energy
• Resource sheet 7.5 Looking after yourself during the cancer journey
• Resource sheet 7.6 How to challenge unhelpful thoughts
• Resource sheet 7.7 Keeping a diary of your thoughts

Speaker / Author:

Mandy MacDonald
Mandy is a clinical psychologist with clinical experience both in Australia and in the United Kingdom and is a member of the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society. She has nine years’ experience working in psycho-oncology at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney within both liaison psychiatry services and, in more recent years, through the establishment of a dedicated clinical psychology service to oncology patients and their loved ones.

In her current appointment Mandy provides in-patient and out-patient care to medical oncology, radiation oncology and haematology patients. In addition, she provides education, training and supervision to a broad range of oncology professionals and has been involved in teaching through psycho-educative DVD material. She has a long standing interest in the development and delivery of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary psychosocial care to hospital-based patients.

Professional Reviews: