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Depression and anxiety in oncology: the oncologist's perspective. (Beatson Oncology Center, Glasgow, United Kingdom). J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;62:52–55.
Author(s) -
Jones Richard D.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1046/j.1533-2500.2001.1039_50.x
Subject(s) - medicine , depression (economics) , anxiety , intervention (counseling) , psycho oncology , psychiatry , disease , cancer , quality of life (healthcare) , oncology , nursing , macroeconomics , economics
Depression and anxiety frequently occur in oncology patients and have a significant impact on patient quality of life, health care utilization, and even disease outcome. Depression and anxiety are eminently treatable and, therefore, psychiatric assessment and appropriate intervention should form an integral component of management strategy in patients with cancer. It is essential that patients are recognized at an early stage, so that resources can be targeted effectively at those most at risk of developing psychiatric morbidity. Evaluation techniques that can identify signs or symptoms of depression and anxiety and can be incorporated into the program of a busy oncology clinic or in the primary care setting are, therefore, needed. Diagnosis of depression and anxiety may be facilitated by using primary screening tools, such as family psychiatric history, levels of family support, and degrees of pain suffered by the patient. This article considered the issues surrounding diagnosis of depression and anxiety in cancer patients and the benefits of early intervention from the point of view of the oncologist.