Treating Depression After a Cancer Diagnosis

It’s normal to feel scared and anxious after a cancer diagnosis but for some people – about 15 percent – they develop a major depressive disorder. That’s when anti-depressants are considered over and above talk therapy, says Dr. Scott Irwin, a psychiatrist and Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. But certain kinds of anti-depressants may not be appropriate for cancer patients. For instance, some medications may lower the effectiveness of hormone therapy. “Depression and stress make it harder to treat cancer, and make it harder to tolerate the treatments,” says Dr. Irwin. But taking care of some one’s mental health can also impact their cancer care outcomes.

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