According to new guidelines from the National Health Service, patients who have a chronic illness including those with diabetes should be screened for depression by their GPs . Other patients who could be screened include those with cancer and heart disease .
The decision has been taken following a series of studies proving that diabetes and depression are closely linked. Diagnosing depression and treating it at an early stage has been shown to help improve symptoms .
The measures are part of a series of proposals designed to involve GPs further into the mental aspects of their patients. Dr. Kessler of Bristol University was reported in diabetes news as commenting: "There's things that can help, from exercise, to psychological and drug treatment ."
People with diabetes should be screened for depression
Wed, 28 Oct 2009
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