Persons who feel that they have little intrinsic ability to impact their mood or environment are defined as having low internal locus of control and, conversely, a high external locus of control. Previous research has demonstrated an independent link between high external locus of control and depression. Our observation Olaparib 763113-22-0 may reflect a desire among those with low internal locus of control to seek out treatment that depends upon as little internal change as possible [27]. Persons believing that they can control depression on their own have reduced acceptance of counseling and a greater tendency to rely on herbal supplements. Herbal supplements can be purchased without prescriptions or need to interact with a physician, enhancing the person’s ability to self-manage their depression.

Perceptions regarding depression from older adults who are not depressed are also important because of their risk of developing depression later in life related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease or other chronic diseases. This group may also have spouses suffering from depression, and their attitudes may impact the spouses’ treatment. Caregivers’ beliefs about the root of patient’s depression can strongly influence medication adherence [28]. In a study examining adherence to lithium therapy for affective disorders, marriage was correlated with better adherence over a one-year period [29]. Marital status had a strong relationship with adherence to citalopram treatment in adults aged 60 years and older being seen in a primary care setting [30].

Additionally, those with poor marital support were more likely to have recurrent depressive symptoms and fail to comply with treatment one year after optimum medical therapy [31].A striking correlate was found regarding the willingness to discuss treatment with family members. Greater depressive symptoms were associated with less conviction that a person would discuss treatment with family; however, there was a strong and consistent correlation with discussion of depression with family and willingness to accept all treatment options after accounting for all other variables. Paradoxically, those most in need of pursing treatment options for their mood may be the very people least willing to discuss treatment with their loved ones, leading to poorer outcomes and undue suffering.

This finding is consistent with the use of psychoeducational workshops for depressed patients and their families to promote continuation treatment for the depressed patients [32]. The willingness to discuss treatment options with family is a condition associated with enhanced acceptance of medication use, counseling, and following the doctor’s recommendations. Encouraging Entinostat patients to have a family member accompany them to office visits is one approach to enhance family communications regarding the importance of symptom monitoring and treatment compliance.