Congenital heart disease

Mental health

Supporting people with chronic diseases such as congenital heart disease with emotional problems and mental health is a treatment consideration. Since some people with congenital heart disease have a lower quality of life that is related to their condition, some people may struggle with finding a job, engaging in physical exercise, with their fertility, and clinical depression as examples. An estimated 31% of adults with congenital heart disease also have mood disorders. Psychotherapy may be helpful for treating some people who have congenital heart disease and depression, however further research is needed to determine the best way to reduce depression including the length of treatments required for an improvement, type of psychotherapy treatments, and how the psychotherapy sessions are delivered.