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Secondary depression

Authoring team

Secondary depression is a depressive episode that develops as a direct consequence of a pre-existing medical illness, substance use disorder, or another non-affective psychiatric condition.

Physical disorders include:

  • malignancy
  • hypothyroidism
  • hyperparathyroidism
  • Cushing's syndrome
  • Addison's disease
  • multiple sclerosis
  • parkinsonism
  • post-infection
  • obstructive sleep apnoea
  • chronic pain
  • head injury
  • stroke
  • vitamin B12/folate deficiency
  • HIV

Psychiatric disorders include:

  • schizophrenia
  • alcoholism
  • dementia
  • personality disorder

Drug-induced depression, including:

  • corticosteroids
  • interferons
  • hormonal contraceptives
  • anticonvulsants
  • beta-blockers
  • benzodiazepines
  • isotretinoin

Reference

  1. NICE. Depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem: recognition and management. Clinical guideline CG91. Published October 2009

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