Self-Management of Depression and Medical Illness

Depression is a common but serious disorder that affects millions of people every year. Depression can severely impact people's lives, causing them to often feel sad and hopeless as well as affecting their sleep patterns, concentration, and energy levels. Treatment typically includes a combination of antidepressant medication and talk therapy. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an adapted group education program typically used for chronic medical illness in improving the health status, health behaviors, and use of health care services among people with depression and a chronic illness.

Participants in this open-label study will attend a group education program used to manage chronic medical illness. Group sessions will be held for 2.5 hours, once a week, for 6 weeks. Group leaders, also suffering from a chronic medical condition, will lead discussions based on the following topics: nutrition; exercise; appropriate use of medications; ways to communicate effectively with family, friends, and health care professionals; and how to make informed treatment decisions. Participants will also complete two surveys: one at the beginning of the study and one at the end. The first survey will ask basic questions related to participants' health status and any feelings of stress, anxiety, or sadness. The second survey will include a brief interview that will require participants to describe their experience in the group sessions and to suggest ways of improving the program to better accommodate people with depression and chronic illness. Responses to questions will be used to enhance the effectiveness of the group education program for treating people with both depression and a chronic medical condition.