Clinical Depression in Cancer Patients: What to Know Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Clinical Depression and Cancer What You Need to Know Jan 28, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Being diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming mentally, physically, and emotionally. Experiencing moments of anxiety, sadness, or fear is a normal part of a patient's cancer journey, but what about prolonged feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide? These more serious symptoms are all signs of depression, says Dr. Scott Irwin, psychiatrist and director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai's Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. "In the general population, about 7% of adults will experience an episode of major clinical depression," says Dr. Irwin. "That number increases to 15-25% for people with cancer." "People, and even providers, think 'of course they are depressed, they have cancer,' but it is not the norm and should not be ignored." Recognizing signs of clinical depression Symtoms of clinical depression include: Depressed mood, ongoing sadness Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities Lowered energy or fatigue Change in weight or appetite Being agitated Increased or decreased sleep Feeling guilty, worthless, hopeless, or helpless Difficulty with concentration or indecisiveness Frequent thoughts of death or suicide Many of these symptoms can overlap with the side effects some patients experience from cancer treatment, such as lowered energy, decreased appetite, weight changes, insomnia, and impaired concentration. So how do you know? A good rule of thumb: If 5 or more of the symptoms of clinical depression listed above occur nearly every day for 2 weeks or more, it might be depression rather than side effects of treatment. Read: Blindsided by Breast Cancer: A Patient's Advice Dr. Irwin says the nonphysical symptoms are his key to spotting a cancer patient struggling with clinical depression. "When I'm assessing a patient, I focus on the nonphysical symptoms more," he says. "Feeling depressed, down, blue, or sad, an inability to experience joy, excessive guilt, and thoughts of actively ending one's own life are all signs that someone is dealing with clinical depression." Read: Common Questions About Cancer Clinical Trials Seeking help If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to discuss what you're feeling with your oncology care team and ask about mental health services. At Cedars-Sinai, services within the cancer institute include access to mental health experts—such as social workers and psychiatrists—with specialized expertise and training to care for patients and families dealing with cancer. "It's important that mental health is assessed so we can intervene, treat, and relieve the suffering associated with it," says Dr. Irwin. "In cancer, this is even more important because doing so will improve cancer care outcomes." If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, there are resources available to provide free and confidential support. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or Teen Line at 1-800-TLC-TEEN. Tags Mental Health Cancer Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility