CF and Depression

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.

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.

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!

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.