Patients with mesothelioma may develop depression, but there are ways to ease the fear and anxiety with antidepressants, counseling and other therapies.

1. Medical Side of Depression for
People with Mesothelioma
Dana Nolan, MS LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

2. Incidence of Depression in People with
Cancer
 The National Cancer Institute reports that 15 to 25
percent of people with cancer experience
depression
 Depression equally affects men and women with
cancer
 Depression is not just feeling sad or grieving losses
related to a cancer diagnosis
 No data is available on incidence of depression in
mesothelioma patients
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3. Why Would People with Mesothelioma Be
at Risk of Developing Depression?
 Fear of death
 Need to adjust to:
Less energy
Treatment schedule
Change in life plans and goals
 Feelings of denial or anger
 Changes in sleep and diet
 Anxiety
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4. Symptoms of Depression
 Daily feelings of sadness
or hopelessness
 Persistent lack of:
 Energy
 Motivation
 Concentration or memory
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 Poor sleep (too much
or too little)
 Loss of interest in fun
activities
 Social isolation

5. Risks Leading to Depression
 Pre-existing depression/history of depression
 Diagnosed with advanced or incurable cancer
 Fatigue
 Poor social support system
 History of drug or alcohol abuse
 Taking corticosteroid medications
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6. Causes of Depression
Some conditions common in mesothelioma patients
can cause depression:
Anemia
Uncontrolled pain
Hyper/hypothyroidism
Fever
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National Cancer Institute (2014, December 3). Treatment of Depression. Retrieved from:
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/depression-pdq#section/_8
 Fluctuations in B12, folate,
calcium, sodium or
potassium levels in our body

7. Treatment for Depression
 Medication
 Emotional Support
 Group
 Individual
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8. Medications
Reservations mesothelioma patients may have about
taking antidepressants:
“I already take too many pills.”
“People will think I am crazy.”
“I have heard the side effects are bad.”
“I am afraid I’ll get addicted to them.”
“I took them before, and they didn’t work.”
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9. How Do Antidepressants Work?
 Brain cells communicate to each other with
chemicals called neurotransmitters (dopamine,
serotonin, glutamate and adrenaline)
 Depressed people have abnormal levels of
serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in their
brains, meaning that brain cells aren’t
communicating properly with each other
 Antidepressants work to slowly rebalance those
neurotransmitters
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10. Common Antidepressants
 Newer: Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Celexa, Zoloft,
Cymbalta, Lexapro and Pristiq
 Older or Atypical: Wellbutrin, trazodone,
nortriptyline and amitriptyline
 Most physicians will prescribe one of the newer
antidepressants and transition to the older or
atypical ones if the newer ones are not effective
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11. Trial and Error
 Many patients need to try a few different types of
antidepressants to find one that works
 It takes 4-6 weeks for antidepressants to work so
it can be a long process to get some relief
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12. Dosing and Compliance
 Antidepressants are not taken “as needed” but
must be taken as prescribed (usually once or twice a
day)
 Common side effects can be mild nausea, difficulty
sleeping and dry mouth for the first few days of
starting or increasing the dose of the
antidepressant
 Side effects usually subside within 3-5 days
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13. What to Expect When Taking an
Antidepressant
 Most people describe a gradual “lifting” or
“brightening” of their mood. Others report “glimpses
of happiness” throughout the day
 Some people report feeling a little better within a
few days and others take a lot longer
 Keeping a daily mood diary is helpful to rate, track
and report back to your physician (0=very depressed
to 10=not depressed)
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14. Don’t Suffer Needlessly
 Depression is a common experience in people with
cancer just like nausea, fatigue and pain
 But because depression is common or
understandable, it doesn’t mean patients should
tough it out without help
 Medication and emotional support do help!
(800) 615-2270

15. Contact Information
1-800-615-2270
(800) 615-2270