KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Mental health struggles can have impacts beyond the brain.
"We're talking about chronic medical conditions—cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, COPD—about 25% to 45% of people with these conditions also have co-occurring depression," Mental Health Association of East Tennessee CEO Ben Harrington said. "In most of them, it's not been identified."
The existence of depression on top of a chronic illness can complicate how both are treated, according to Harrington.
"You need to have the right mindset motivation to say, 'I'm gonna fight,' and be compliant with your treatment regimen," Harrington said.
The CEO said seeking treatment for just one of your conditions is not enough to help and he urges people to identify any mental health conditions as soon as they can.
"Just because you see your primary care doctor doesn't mean you're getting treated for everything the way you should be treated for everything," Harrington said.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can take the Mental Health Association's online screening.