Take depression into account when managing chronically ill members
Take depression into account when managing chronically ill members
Mental health has a big impact on physical health
For many years, many people thought of depression as an imaginary disease, but the health care industry is beginning to recognize how prevalent depression really is and is taking steps to help people learn to cope with this devastating disease.
One in 10 adults experiences some form of depression or anxiety every year, according to Peg Audley, LICSW, assistant director of operations for CIGNA's disease management program.
"Depression is far more common than people realize. A huge percentage of individuals experience depression at some time in their lives, but it's often overlooked," says Mary Clare Solky, MA, LLP, director of behavioral medicine at Health Alliance Plan.
People who suffer physical pain get help, but emotional pain often is pushed aside, Solky points out.
"It's not only important to a person's well being and productivity, but it can also affect chronic medical conditions and general medical health," she says.
When it comes to the link between depression and chronic illness, it's kind of like the riddle about what came first, the chicken or the egg, Audley says.
Chronic illnesses can cause depression, and depression can make it difficult to get the chronic condition under control, she says.
"If someone is diabetic and also depressed, we have to help them deal with both problems. They have to have enough energy and feel well enough to be able to take charge of their life, watch their diet, and stay on insulin," she says.
Chronic illnesses can lead to depression because people may not be able to do the activities they enjoy, because they are under stress or in chronic pain, and because chronic conditions can change their self-concept and their plans for the future, Solky says.
In addition, depression can result from the metabolic effects that chronic conditions can have on the brain, she says.
"The only way to help a member become compliant is to find the underlying condition, such as depression, that affects his or her ability to follow the treatment plan. It's easy to miss when you are talking to someone who is physically ill, but depression could be what is fueling lack of compliance," Solky says.
In this issue, we'll look at two depression management programs and how they are integrated with the health care plans' disease management programs.
You'll learn about CIGNA's program that targets people who are treated for depression in primary care settings and HAP's team approach to treating depression and chronic diseases.
For many years, many people thought of depression as an imaginary disease, but the health care industry is beginning to recognize how prevalent depression really is and is taking steps to help people learn to cope with this devastating disease.Subscribe Now for Access
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