Depression is likely in families of those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have a high risk of depression, according to a study.
Caring is stressful, both physically and mentally, so it is hardly surprising that caregivers tend to suffer from depression. A team at the University of Torino, Italy, now reveals that depression is a particular issue among people caring for those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a severe and progressive neurological condition.

They interviewed 31 ALS patient-caregiver couples at the beginning and end of a nine month study. Couples were tested for depression and quality of life. The caregivers had a marked increase in depression over the nine month period. By contrast, there was no such change among the patients. Mild to moderate depression increased among caregivers from 9.7 to 19.3 per cent. Feeling burdened increased also. The most common complaint among caregivers was not having enough time for themselves.

While you might think the patients, too, would get more depressed as time went by, it could be that they had accepted their condition. Cognitive impairment may also affect the way ALS patients feel. The risk of depression among caregivers ought to be taken into account when the healthcare team is planning the care and support of someone with ALS, say the researchers.

Source
Neurology 20th March 2007