Risk Factors

Coexistence with Illnesses & Other Conditions

Unfortunately, depression can be misdiagnosed, under treated, misunderstood and overshadowed by medical complexities. Illnesses, especially in women, often co-exist with depression. They may precede or follow depression, or even be identified as the cause or consequence.⁹⁷ Depression often coexists with medical conditions such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis; often worsening symptoms of the illness. Studies have indicated those suffering from depression in addition to serious medical conditions exhibit increased symptoms from each illness. Adapting to medical conditions becomes a greater challenge for those suffering from depression; proper treatment for depression and coexisting medical condition(s) can alleviate burdens associated from each.

Genetic, biological, social and lifestyle factors can all influence comorbid depression. Treatments of medical disorders can also interfere with the treatment of depression. It is vital to treat depression, as it is highly treatable. Fifty-four percent of adults with depression show an improvement in symptoms after taking antidepressant medication. Sixty-two percent of adults with depression show improvement in symptoms after receiving psychotherapy.⁹⁷

A 2024 longitudinal study intended to investigate the relationship between disordered eating attitudes and mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and somatization, among individuals with eating disorders. The conclusions stressed the role of disordered eating attitudes in predicting mental health outcomes among young women with eating disorders. Addressing these attitudes in therapeutic settings may help mitigate symptoms of not only the primary condition but also depression and anxiety.⁹⁸ In developed countries, eating disorders are prevalent among young people, with eating disorders approximately 15% in women and 3% in men.⁹⁸