Depression And Physical Illness

This page intentionally left blank Depression and Physical Illness Depression and physical illness are related intimately. Depressed mood is thought to contribute to the development and progression of some illnesses, while physical illness can, in turn, increase the risk of depression. This book provides a critical overview of the evidence linking depression with several major health conditions, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, disability, chronic fatigue and obesity. The book also explores the biological and behavioural processes underlying the association, discussing the role of neuroendocrine, immunological and inflammatory pathways and the relationship between depression and health behaviours such as smoking, physical activity and adherence to medical advice. It combines a thorough analysis of the clinical, biological and epidemiological data with guidance to health professionals and patients on how to manage depression in people suffering from physical illness, pointing the way to an integrated approach to healthcare. Andrew Steptoe is British Heart Foundation Professor of Psychology in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London. He is a past president of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine and of the Society for Psychosomatic Research. He was founding editor of the British Journal of Health Psychology, has been an associate editor of Psychophysiology, the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, the British of Journal Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, and is on the editorial boards of seven other journals. Depression and Physical Illness Edited by Andrew Steptoe Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London London, UK cambridge university press Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge cb2 2ru, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521603607 © Cambridge University Press 2007 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published in print format 2006 isbn-13 isbn-10 978-0-511-24971-6 eBook (EBL) 0-511-24971-3 eBook (EBL) isbn-13 isbn-10 978-0-521-60360-7 paperback 0-521-60360-9 paperback Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurat