Lack of occupation and depression onset in oncology patient – Case report

Abstract

Being able to live an active and meaningful life is important for mental health of every individual. In this case report we examine the life of an oncology patient who developed depression six years ago. The patient is a fifty seven year old woman who has been suffering from Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome for the last forty years. Her father and two uncles died from the same disease. She had her first operation when she was seventeen years old and has had numerous operations since then. During this time she has undergone four neurosurgical operations, nephrectomy, spine and pancreas operation and eye enucleation. Despite the fact that by being a chronic oncology patient she was prone to depression, she did not develop depressive symptoms. It did not happen even as her husband went to war and left her to take care of their child. It did not come afterwards as they struggled financially. Only after they moved to a new apartment and as she finished decorating it, did depression finally occur. During entire life she was an active, outgoing person, who took pleasure in socialising and various hobbies. She only developed depression after she was pensioned, left with the responsibility to care for her old mother. Following the psychiatric treatment she regained interest in people and become active in different cancer support groups. This example accentuates the importance of every-day pleasurable activities as a defence mechanism against depression.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.