Depression in medical patients

Depressive illness is usually treatable. It is common and results in marked disability, diminished survival, and increased healthcare costs. As a result, it is essential that all doctors have a basic understanding of its diagnosis and management. In patients with physical illness depression may

• Be a coincidental association
• Be a complication of physical illness
• Cause or exacerbate somatic symptoms (such as fatigue, malaise, or pain).

Comment in Most patients depressed by cancer do not need drugs. [BMJ. 2002]