Depression in medical disorders

This review highlights the occurrence of depressive disorders in medically ill patients. It discusses the difficulties in diagnosing depression in the medically ill due to the vegetative symptoms of depression which are also a feature of many medical diseases. Depression in the medically ill may be due to the disease itself, its psychological reaction, due to complications because of metabolic or other disturbances, or due to the medications for the treatment of the disease. The role of active consultation liaison between medical specialists and mental health professionals will help provide total care to the medically ill.