Understanding depression in palliative and end-of-life care
Intended for healthcare professionals
CPD Previous     Next

Understanding depression in palliative and end-of-life care

Vanessa Taylor Senior lecturer, Division of Nursing, University of Bradford
Sarah Ashelford Lecturer, Division of Nursing, University of Bradford

Depression in patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care is difficult to distinguish from grief and sadness. However, there are some important distinctions and it is a clinical condition that is treatable and should not be considered a necessary or normal part of the dying process. This article examines the nature of depression and describes the stress vulnerability model of depression, linking it to recent developments in the neurobiology of depression. It also discusses how to distinguish depression from other symptoms that patients may be experiencing.

Nursing Standard. 23, 12, 48-57. doi: 10.7748/ns2008.11.23.12.48.c6729

Correspondence

v.taylor1@bradford.ac.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Want to read more?

RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

or

3-month trial offer for £5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more