Treating depression in terminally ill patients can optimize their physical comfort at the end of life and provide them the opportunity to confront and prepare for death.

Full Abstract

The dying process is characterized by feelings of sadness and fear. It is normal for patients at the end of life to worry and grieve the loss of their health. However, when these feelings become excessive and interfere with all aspects of the patient's life, they are abnormal responses to the stress of terminal illness. Screening for depression in terminally ill patients can optimize their physical comfort at the end of life and provide them the opportunity to confront and prepare for death.

Author information

Author/s: Braun, Ursula K (UK); Kunik, Mark E (ME); Pham, Catherine (C);

Affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Center for Quality of Care & Utilization Studies, Section of Geriatrics, Houston, Texas, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article; Review

Journal: Geriatrics (Geriatrics), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 63 (issue 6) : pp 25-7

Dates: Created 2008/06/02; Completed 2008/07/15;

PMID: 18512998, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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