Other studies have reached similar conclusions. In a 2011 study of more than 2,000 adults, 26% of people with COPD suffered from depression compared to 12% of smokers without COPD and 7% of nonsmokers without COPD.
What’s more, depression and anxiety in conjunction with COPD can create a vicious cycle. If you have COPD and are struggling to breathe, you can start to panic, making the condition worse. In fact, people with COPD are 10 times more likely than people without the condition to experience panic attacks and panic disorder.
By understanding the causes of COPD-associated depression, you can begin to seek the tools to either prevent or treat the condition.
A 2019 study in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society further demonstrated that the use of Xanax or Valium in adults with both COPD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more than doubled the risk of suicide.
By contrast, certain antidepressants and psychotherapy may help treat both anxiety and depression and are worth talking to your healthcare provider about.
SSRIs are considered a good choice for treating depression or anxiety related to COPD. SSRIs work by preventing the reuptake (reabsorption) of the neurotransmitter serotonin by the nerve cells that secreted it. In this way, more serotonin can be made available in the brain. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to anxiety and depression.
Commonly prescribed SSRIs include:
Prozac (fluoxetine) Zoloft (sertraline) Lexapro (escitalopram) Paxil (paroxetine)
Antidepressants that don’t fall into any of the above listed categories, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion), Serzone (nefazodone), and Remeron (mirtazapine ), haven’t been well studied in people with COPD.
A 2016 study in the European Respiratory Journal reported that adults with COPD had a 50% greater improvement in depression symptoms after three months of CBT than adults who were given self-help leaflets.
CBT can be a highly effective way of dealing with all sorts of issues related to depression or anxiety caused by COPD, generally works pretty quickly, and doesn’t put you at risk of the physical side effects of medication. Your healthcare provider can likely refer you to a psychologist or other mental health professional who can provide you with CBT.
