2023-06-20 08:57:29
Many people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffer from mental disorders. These exacerbate the pneumological condition, but are often neither recognized nor treated. There are effective non-drug therapy approaches: Psychotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation help once morest depression and anxiety.
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Anxiety and depression in particular occur more frequently in COPD patients than in healthy people. Although in many cases those affected do not meet all the criteria for the full picture of these mental illnesses, they do suffer from symptoms that require treatment – with sometimes serious consequences. For example, they are less likely to stop smoking, develop more exacerbations and need hospital treatment more often, reports Dr. Eleonora Volpato from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and colleagues. Regular screening for any accompanying psychological findings seems all the more important for all COPD patients. Questionnaires such as PRIME-MD (Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), which are also available in German, are suitable for this purpose.
Of the non-drug options for treating the psychological consequences of COPD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best studied. It is intended to enable those affected to deal with their disorder in a more constructive manner. Many patients who cannot control their shortness of breath avoid potentially triggering activities. CBT can help them overcome their fears and face the situation. Activation is also a core concern of therapy in the case of a depressive mood. Those affected learn to replace their negative thoughts with more realistic and less distressing assessments.
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