Cancer patients: Get the help you need for clinical depression

The study found that clinical depression is a common problem for people living with cancer.

For example, it found that around one in eight people with lung cancer also had clinical depression.

Sufferers of depression feel persistently low, may find it difficult to sleep and have poor appetites. We also know that depression can make people feel physically less well. What this study shows is that the psychological needs of people who have cancer often get overlooked and people do not always seek the treatment that they need. Being diagnosed with cancer can be a tremendous emotional shock, so it is unsurprising that it can trigger depression.

If you think you may be depressed, make an appointment to see your GP, who will be able to advise on the best treatment.

In Derbyshire, people feeling depressed or anxious can refer themselves to any of these Talking Therapy services which can help manage symptoms of depression or low mood, and anxiety difficulties such as stress and panic.

Details are as follows:

Let’s Talk Wellbeing – tel. 0115 956 0888; web www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/local-services/lets-talk-wellbeing.

Talking Mental Health – tel. 0300 123 0542; www.derbyshcft.nhs.uk/tmhd.

Trent PTS – tel. 01332 265659; web www.trentpts.co.uk.

For general information on mental illness, visit www.time-to-change.org.uk or www.mentalhealthrecovery.com.