Depression in Palliative Care (Assessment)

Do you know that depression is common yet underdiagnosed among palliative patients? Have you ever wondered how a medical professional assesses a palliative patient for depression? Follow us on Sam’s journey and his story. . . Recap: A tool to assess depression is DSM-V where 5 or more symptoms need to be present during the same 2-week period: At least 1 of the symptoms is either: - Depressed mood most of the day and nearly every day or - Loss of interest and pleasure most of the day and nearly every day Other symptoms of depression: - Feeling of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt - Thoughts of death or suicide - Decreased concentration - Significant weight loss or gain - Fatigue or loss of energy - Easily irritable by things or people - Insomnia or hypersomnia . . Animation transcript: bit.ly/PF2AssessmentOfDepression . . References 1. Chochinov et al. "Are you depressed?" Screening for depression in the terminally ill.Am J Psychiatry. 1997 May;154(5):674-6. 2. Stagg, E. K. & Lazenby, M. (2012). Best practices for the non-pharmacological treatment of Depression at the end of life. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 29, 183 -194. 3. Tang, P. L. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of demoralization and depression in patients with cancer. Psychosomatics, 56(6), 634 – 643. . . Content experts: Ms Dawn Chia Video producer: Perry Lee Voiceover: Henry Kong Illustrator: Perry Lee Animator & editor: Perry Lee Thumbnail artist: Vivienne . . All rights are reserved to GeriCare and there should not be any reproduction, publication, or adaptation of any part of the video content without prior approval from GeriCare. #GCPowerFacts #GCTrainingHub --- GeriCare PowerFacts is a series of free bite-sized and engaging educational videos, covering topics across Geriatric Care and Palliative Care. For more information, visit our website at www.gericarenorth.com/powerfacts

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• #palliative_care
• #depression
• #assessment
• #psychosocial