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Posted 6/29/2006 1:13 PM (GMT -7)
Does anybody know if there are any correlations between CF and depression?

 

I have spoken with several young adults and adults with CF that are on medication for depression.

 

Could anybody tell me a little bit more about depression among people with CF?

 

I often go through spells in which I get extremely upset about CF and can only think about life in a negative light. I seem to be very moody and I know that some mood changes are due to different medications, but what are people's thoughts on anti-depressents?

Posted 6/29/2006 6:33 PM (GMT -7)
I do know that there is a correlation between CF and depression. I'm not entirely too sure to what extent, but I do know that a lot of CFers suffer from depression, anxiety/panic, or even both. Here is a link to the Canadian CF website - they had a day for adults, and the webcast is archived near the bottom of the page. They talked a lot about CF and depression. I've watched this, and its definitly worth the watch. Very insightful for adults with CF.

http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/home.asp

Here is a direct link to the webcast as well. All you have to do is type in your name, email address, etc. It will then let you view the webcast.

http://www.softconference.com/ccff/login.asp

Edited to add: I myself suffer from Anxiety and am in the process of going for counseling and am taking a mild relaxent. If you are going to an accredited CF centre, they should have a CF counselor on the team. You can them talk to them about any issues you may have. Its worth the look into.
Posted 6/29/2006 7:15 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks, Chaser. I'll have to watch that webcast when I have a little more time.

I do go to a CF center with a CF counselor, but our personalities kind of clash.

I actually have a check-up at the CF clinic tomorrow, so I may ask a few questions concerning the mental aspects of CF. I feel that I am more bothered mentally than I am physically by CF.

I appreciate your response!!
Posted 7/1/2006 11:56 PM (GMT -7)
There is no biological or physiological correlation between CF and depression. CF effects how your cells absord and release moisture; depression is (debatebly) an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters. Amongst those theorized are seratonin, dopamine, estrogen and testosterone, and infinite others.

There is a higher percentage CF patients that experience depression than the general population, but this is caused by the circumstances brought on by the nature of the disease. I.E., thoughts of one's mortality, hospitilizations, treatments, medications, and the general "Why Me?" mentality.

I, myself, am now 20 with CF. I have been battling with depression since about the beginning of high school, yet I have not gone on an anti-depressant yet. This is not a course of action I suggest, and I am asking for a prescription at my next clinic appointment.

Also, don't expect antidepressants to be either an instant or absolute fix to depression. The way they affect your brain takes 2-4 weeks and even then the neurotransmitters that the different medications try to balance are marginally proven to be the direct result of depression.
Posted 7/2/2006 8:10 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Lussier! Thank you for all of the information. I knew that there was nothing physically wrong with CF bodies that may cause an increased chance of depression. However, I figured that the mental strains (particularly the stressors you mentioned) may cause an increased likelihood of becoming depressed.

When one of my best friends with CF died in August, I began to think a lot about the things that you mentioned above. I found that it took so much to make me happy, when previously it had taken so much to make me upset.

At many points, I considered anti-depressants, but it was also not something that I really wanted to do. I have started exercising five days a week, and feel that it has been a somewhat natural anti-depressant because, not only does it make me feel better physically, but the endorphins that are boosted have also been very helpful in dealing with the mental aspects of CF.

I am also 20 years old so we may be experiencing some of the same mental effects of dealing with CF. Once again, thank you for replying to my post and I hope all goes well!
Posted 8/4/2006 6:28 AM (GMT -7)
Hi I am New, my 12 yr old daughter has CF and has had trouble with her stomach for years and the GI people in our state have been treating it as a cf issue but she still has been suffering to the point of not leaving the house most recently because of a fear of getting sick, she has pain, bloating, nausea, constipation and diahrea we starting seeing a GI doc in NH and she started doing more tests and we were just told that the IBD study they sent to CA has shown she has Inflammatory Bowel Disease/Chrohns Disease the docs here haven't dealt with the combo of CF and Chrohns I wondered if anyone has this double wammy. She is a very anxious little girl and it is getting worse as she gets older because of all the meds hospitalizations and trouble she is having she is on meds for her anxiety and she sees a therapist to help her but she just gets so sick of everything she has to do daily and now we are going to tell her she has more meds to take and more adjustments to make in her life, she is going in for an endoscopy, colonoscopy and bronchoscopy next week to confirm dx so i haven't said anything about her having a separate disease yet. just wondering if anyone else has dealt with any of this. Thanks!

Kelly

Posted 8/4/2006 8:51 AM (GMT -7)
Welcome to Healing Well, Kelly.

I am not really familiar with the GI issues yet. I can really sympathize with you and your daughter, it sounds like she goes through so much. I do hope that you all get some answers soon and some relief upon a proper dx.

Sending good thoughts your way.
Posted 8/19/2006 9:26 PM (GMT -7)
TaysMom, My 28 yr old girlfriend of 6 yrs has been having problems of anxiety and depression lately. She has advanced liver disease and is on a transplant list.  We found a program that works very well treating anxiety/depression.  It is called Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety and Depression.  The website is stresscenter.com.  It focuses on your negative thoughts and how to replace them.  80% + of people suffering from depression is non-biological.  Meaning it is how you think.  This program has been a godsend.  Hope it helps.

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