Posted 03 September 2015 - 11:22
Posted 03 September 2015 - 11:22
News
Depression symptoms are going unnoticed and untreated, survey finds
A survey of around 200 people from Britain with depression has found that health professionals often fail to ask them whether they have difficulties with learning, remembering or problem-solving
Many people with depression are never asked by health professionals whether they have difficulties with learning, remembering or problem-solving, a mental health charity has said.
The Depression Alliance conducted a survey of around 200 people from Britain with depression and found that about half said health professionals had not enquired about cognitive function.
This is a concern because virtually everyone with depression experiences cognitive dysfunction, the charity argues.
The survey also showed that 15% of people experiencing cognitive dysfunction had lost their jobs as a result.
Depression Alliance chief executive Emer O’Neill said: ‘People diagnosed with depression said in the survey that the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction can make talking to others more challenging than usual, normal hobbies and interests more difficult to do and day-to-day chores requiring organisation more difficult to complete.
'For those of us who have never experienced any cognitive symptoms it can be hard to appreciate the effects that symptoms have on day-to-day life.’