WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

Depression often co–exists with other serious physical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. Studies have shown that people who have depression in addition to another serious medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both depression and the medical illness, more difficulty adapting to their medical condition, and more medical costs than those who do not have co–existing depression. Research has yielded increasing evidence that treating the depression can also help improve the outcome of treating the co–occurring illness.

Resources
Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, recently released a report documenting the findings from 2006 and 2007 Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Family Survey (BRFS) data. The report examines the links between mental health conditions and chronic disease risks, functioning, and quality of life among Wisconsin adults. The report has implications for supporting integrated, holistic care.

Get it Together: How to Integrate Physical and Mental Health Care for People with Serious Mental Disorders  This report from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law examines model programs for improving integration and coordination of behavioral health and primary health services for adults and children with serious mental health problems who rely on the public mental health system for their care. It summarizes findings of a series of studies and offers recommendations for policymakers.


Diabetes
Approximately one third of persons with diabetes have symptoms of depression. According to recent studies, treating the depression not only relieves depression symptoms, but also improves the control of blood glucose levels. As a result, physical health improves and the risk of the most severe complications of diabetes reduces.

• Diabetes complications: Depression - an easy to read discussion on coping with Diabetes from the American Diabetes Association
• Access: Diabetes Research Learn about recent research from the American Diabetic Association, select Depression and Anxiety in the drop-down menu
  

Heart Disease
Up to a quarter of patients with coronary artery disease have major depression.  "Evidence is mounting that depression is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and portends a worse outcome in cardiac patients.  Depression can be easily diagnosed and safely treated in cardiac patients, but it is undertreated." - Abstract of Heart disease and depression: Don't ignore the relationship, by Derek Kemp, et al.

• Coping with Feelings - information on depression, anxiety, loneliness, and anger from the American Heart Association

Cancer
Depression is a disabling illness that affects about 15% to 25% of cancer patients. It affects men and women with cancer equally.  Sadness and grief are normal reactions to the crises faced during cancer, and will be experienced at times by all people. Because sadness is common, it is important to distinguish between normal levels of sadness and depression. An important part of cancer care is the recognition of depression that needs to be treated.

• Depression - this section of the National Cancer Institute Web site is for health professionals
  
• Anxiety, Fear and Depression - section of the American Cancer Society Web site