Depression In Patients With Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A high incidence of depression appears to have a profound relationship with congestive heart failure (CHF). Depression has been shown to increase the risk of death in patients with heart failure, but with the use of antidepressants, the risk seems to vanish. The link between depression and increased risk of death in patients with congestive heart failure may be attributed to the use of antidepressants or to the depression itself.

One of the most commonly found chronic health problems in the US is congestive heart failure. Patients with CHF must undergo life-altering changes, which may result in anxiety and depression. Nearly five million people suffer from congestive heart failure, and 500,000 new cases are diagnosed with it every year. This condition can be marginally unsettling or it can become disabling and impair daily living.

People with CHF experience many changes from their previous daily activities. They must take medications to decrease edema and the effort performed by the heart muscle. This in itself can cause anxiety and exhaustion. These drugs can also interfere with the physical relationship between a spouse or significant other.

Dietary Changes:

Many patients must avoid eating red meat, decrease fats or salt intake, or limit the amount of fluids they drink daily. They are encouraged to lose weight and exercise to stay as healthy as possible.

Regrettably, people with CHF no longer have the physical endurance they once possessed. Instead, they must stand idly by, watching others play volleyball, run, or jog. This causes despair and inadequacy leading to depression in patients with congestive heart failure. Additionally, many with CHF feel a sense of loss of physical strength and energy. Many have not yet reached the age of retirement and must discontinue working, creating money problems and depression, leading to increased emotional sense of disconnection and isolation. They feel completely alone.

Treatments and Other Techniques:

Patients with congestive heart failure suffering from depression may take antidepression or anti-anxiety drugs to manage these feelings of loss. However, some may turn to counseling to satisfy the need to socialize and face their newly restricted lifestyles.

Ericksonian Hypnosis and NLP:

A healthier method of coping with this kind of depression, a technique using a blend of Ericksonian hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), helps individuals to relax and find harmony and serenity in their daily lives, and is inexpensive. People can use it without the additional burden of financial hardship, and helps people to accept the new restrictions in their lives

Ericksonian Hypnosis is a conversational hypnotherapy type that offers methods for providing post-hypnotic suggestions enfolded in a discussion or metaphor. This method eliminates the struggle against direct suggestions that is almost always experienced when using more traditional types of hypnotherapy.

Factors that contribute to depression in patients with congestive heart failure:

People with congestive heart failure often encounter depression as a result of grieving the deterioration of their physical health and well-being. Other factors that are conducive to depression include medications and financial stresses. Both Ericksonian Hypnosis and NLP provide excellent strategies for helping individuals to weather depression without being required to put forth large amounts of time and money.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT