The distinction between apathy and depression in neuroscience nursing practice

Abstract

Apathy and depression are common neuropsychiatric disorders that can manifest themselves as comorbidities in patients affected by neurological diseases. Misdiagnosis may lead to unwanted clinical side effects, inappropriate rehabilitation, and may compromise the patient clinical outcome. The purpose of this article is to review features of apathy and depression, highlighting similarities and analysing discriminating factors between them. It also aims to raise nurses' awareness in relation to the management of apathy, highlighting a validated and consistent tool to be used during nursing assessment. A literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases dating from 2014 to 2019. Publications were screened according to predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria and reviewed. The relationship between apathy and depression is complex. Nurses could differentiate between them through education and a structured assessment, shaping the therapeutic/rehabilitative approach and ultimately making a difference in terms of patient wellbeing.