Department of Psychiatry of RIPAS Hospital, Dr Rifai Farid during the World Mental Health Day forum 2010 held at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, Jerudong, yesterday. Picture: BT/Zamri Zainal
PATIENTS who have chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease have a significantly increased chance of dying if also afflicted by depression or anxiety, said the Acting Director-General of Medical Services yesterday.
During the opening of the World Mental Health Day Forum, Dr Lailawati Hj Jumat said that depression worsens physical illnesses and weakens the patient's ability to cope with the disease and its accompanying treatment .
Patients with severe or chronic physical illnesses often have a co-existing mental health problems, she added.
Citing recent medical research, the Acting Director-General stated that patients who survive a heart attack but also suffer from major depression have a 17 per cent chance of dying within six months compared to only three per cent in those who are not depressed.
"In fact, depression has been proven to be such a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in cardiac disease that the American Heart Association has recommended that all cardiac patients be screened for depression," she said during a speech at The Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Studies show that patients with chronic physical illnesses have much higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population. "In fact, depression is the most common complication of all chronic or serious medical conditions," said Dr Hjh Lailawati.
Between 15 and 20 per cent of cancer patients suffer from depression and this increases their mortality rate by 25 to 39 per cent.
Similarly, anxiety disorders have been associated with a 74 per cent increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and death.
Anxiety and depression are also common in diabetes patients with one in every four diabetics suffering from depression, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which increases their mortality rate by 30 per cent.
Dr Hjh Lailawati added that control and treatment of the symptoms of mental illness is important to avoid the occurrence of metabolic problems and other complications from diabetes.
Because of these alarming statistics, the Acting Director-General emphasised the urgent need for better integration between mental health and physical health care, especially for mental health screening at the primary care level.
It is therefore essential to enhance the capabilities of the primary care system to detect and treat mental illness in the patient, said Dr Hjh Lailawati.
About 60 per cent of the world's deaths can be attributed to four chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and respiratory ailments. The Ministry of Health organised the half-day forum for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals as part of their efforts to promote awareness and acceptance of mental illness in the country.
As part of their outreach programme, the Ministry will hold seminars on mental health for community leaders, village heads, teachers and schools.The Brunei Times
During the opening of the World Mental Health Day Forum, Dr Lailawati Hj Jumat said that depression worsens physical illnesses and weakens the patient's ability to cope with the disease and its accompanying treatment .
Patients with severe or chronic physical illnesses often have a co-existing mental health problems, she added.
Citing recent medical research, the Acting Director-General stated that patients who survive a heart attack but also suffer from major depression have a 17 per cent chance of dying within six months compared to only three per cent in those who are not depressed.
"In fact, depression has been proven to be such a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in cardiac disease that the American Heart Association has recommended that all cardiac patients be screened for depression," she said during a speech at The Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Studies show that patients with chronic physical illnesses have much higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population. "In fact, depression is the most common complication of all chronic or serious medical conditions," said Dr Hjh Lailawati.
Between 15 and 20 per cent of cancer patients suffer from depression and this increases their mortality rate by 25 to 39 per cent.
Similarly, anxiety disorders have been associated with a 74 per cent increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and death.
Anxiety and depression are also common in diabetes patients with one in every four diabetics suffering from depression, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which increases their mortality rate by 30 per cent.
Dr Hjh Lailawati added that control and treatment of the symptoms of mental illness is important to avoid the occurrence of metabolic problems and other complications from diabetes.
Because of these alarming statistics, the Acting Director-General emphasised the urgent need for better integration between mental health and physical health care, especially for mental health screening at the primary care level.
It is therefore essential to enhance the capabilities of the primary care system to detect and treat mental illness in the patient, said Dr Hjh Lailawati.
About 60 per cent of the world's deaths can be attributed to four chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and respiratory ailments. The Ministry of Health organised the half-day forum for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals as part of their efforts to promote awareness and acceptance of mental illness in the country.
As part of their outreach programme, the Ministry will hold seminars on mental health for community leaders, village heads, teachers and schools.The Brunei Times
Source Taken from:
The Brunei Times (2010). Illnesses can be aggravated by depression.
<http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/11/29/illnesses-can-be-aggravated-depression> Updated: 29 November 2010.
<http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/11/29/illnesses-can-be-aggravated-depression> Updated: 29 November 2010.
