How do you differentiate demoralization from depression during cancer treatment?

Certainly a key question in all referrals for "depression" in psycho-oncology. The two syndromes have areas of overlap and are not mutually exclusive.

Clinical depression in cancer looks much like it would in any other context, though non-specific physical symptoms that can be caused by the cancer/treatment alone (e.g., loss of appetite, fatigue disrupted sleep) must be accounted for when assessing.

In demoralization, themes of loss of meaning, hopelessness, helplessness, loss of control, and su...

I agree with Dr. @Dr. First Last. Demoralization is not synonymous with major depression. And I doubt that demoralization responds to treatment with antidepressants.

Several years ago, I spoke with an oncologist. She said that the psychiatric nurse practitioner (they didn't have a psychiatrist on the oncology team) on the team frequently prescribed venlafaxine (brand name Effexor) not for the patient's benefit, but to mollify the distress of the medical team who themselves became distressed when...