Depression vs. Demoralization in Chronic Medical Illness: Differentiation and Interventions

LIVE WEBINAR

Presenter: Mary Rzeszut, MSW, LCSW-R

NASW-NYS Members: $15
NASW Other Chapter Members: $25.50

Non-Members: $30

This workshop is approved for 1.5 continuing education credit hours for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists

Workshop Description

Demoralization is often confused with depression and is one of the most common reasons psychiatrists are consulted for medically ill patients. Demoralization is found to affect one-third of all medical patients. While depression may co-exist with demoralization, they are two distinct entities with the latter displaying various degrees of helplessness, hopelessness and avoidance coping. Given the psychological and physical effects of a chronic disease, its treatment can be demoralizing. In an effort to more adequately address the psychological stress of the chronically ill patient, it is important to distinguish between demoralization and depression since demoralization generally fails to show improvement with anti-depressants. After participating in this course, attendees will be able to distinguish between the symptoms of depression and demoralization and utilize evidence based interventions for demoralization in their professional practice.  

Learning Objectives

After the completion of this webinar, participants will:

• Identify key differences between depression and demoralization.
• Recognize effects of demoralization in the chronically ill.
• Outline the assessment criteria for demoralization.
• Apply theoretical interventions to address demoralization with clients.

This workshop is approved for 1.5 continuing education credit hours.

NASW-NYS is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (Provider ID #0014), licensed mental health counselors (Provider ID #MHC-0053), and licensed marriage and family therapists. (Provider ID #MFT-0037)

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Presenter:

Mary Rzeszut, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds her Master’s Degree from Fordham University. Ms. Rzeszut began her career at NYU Winthrop Hospital in 2006 and has worked with the renal, oncology, neurology, organ transplant and behavioral health populations in an inpatient, outpatient and physician practice settings. Ms. Rzeszut is a practicing psychotherapist specializing in chronic illness, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues and physician mental health. She is a trained bereavement counselor, an Adjunct Professor at Molloy College and a Faculty Field Liaison for Adelphi University. Her professional and research interests include medical treatment adherence, adjustment to chronic disease and organ transplant. She has presented at the National Kidney Foundation, the American Nephrology Nurses Association and the Society of Transplant Social Workers. Ms. Rzeszut is presently pursuing her doctoral degree.