Harm if depression is not treated

This is an automatically translated article.

Depression can become a serious problem if left untreated. Untreated depression increases the risk of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. Not treating depression can also damage relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illness.

1. Depression and how to overcome it

Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. Depression affects the way you eat and sleep. It affects how you feel about yourself and the people around you. This disease even affects your thinking.
People with depression cannot simply “pull themselves together” and be cured. Without appropriate treatment, with antidepressants and/or psychotherapy, depression can persist for weeks, months, or years. However, the right treatment can help most people with depression.

2. How is health affected without treatment for depression?

There is growing evidence that clinical depression has a serious impact on physical health. The most recent studies exploring health and depression looked at patients with stroke or coronary heart disease. The results showed that people with major depression who were recovering from a stroke or heart attack had more difficulty making health care choices.
Patients with depression also find it harder to follow their doctor's instructions and deal with the challenges their illness presents. Another study found that people with major depression had a higher risk of dying in the first few months after a heart attack than other patients.

2.1. Disrupted sleep due to untreated depression? One of the most noticeable symptoms of depression is changes in sleep patterns. Although the most common problem in patients with depression is insomnia (difficulty getting enough sleep), sometimes patients experience an increased need for sleep and feel excessively drained of energy. Lack of sleep can cause some of the same symptoms as depression: extreme fatigue, loss of energy, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
In addition, untreated depression can lead to weight gain or loss, feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and irritability. Treating depression helps patients manage all of these symptoms.
Common signs of insomnia in patients with untreated depression include:
Fatigue during the day Irritability and difficulty concentrating Sleeping without ever feeling "enough" Difficulty falling asleep Difficulty falling back to sleep later when waking up at night Waking up several times during the night Waking up before it's time to set the alarm. 2.2. Drug and alcohol abuse with untreated depression Alcohol and drug abuse is common among people with untreated depression. The condition is especially common in teenagers and young and middle-aged men. It is very important to encourage these people to seek help, as they are more likely to want to commit suicide than other patients.
Signs of drug and alcohol abuse in patients without treatment for depression include:
Inability to maintain previous personal relationships. Discreet use of alcohol Self-esteem Tremors Unexplained memory loss Reluctance to talk about drugs or alcohol People with drug or alcohol abuse depression may need a very specialized treatment plan.

3. Are signs of untreated depression different in men than in women?

Men with untreated clinical depression may exhibit more anger, frustration, and violent behaviors than female patients. In addition, men with untreated depression may be at greater risk than women, who may be at risk from reckless driving and unsafe sex.
Men with depression are often unaware that the physical symptoms of the disease such as headaches, digestive upsets and chronic pain.

4. Why is untreated depression considered a disability?

Depression can make it difficult for a person to have a difficult time in his or her work life, family life, and social life, just like a person with a real disability. If left untreated, depression can cost the US economy as much as heart disease or AIDS.
Untreated depression is the cause of more than 200 million work days lost each year. The annual cost of untreated depression is more than $43.7 billion due to absenteeism, reduced work productivity and direct treatment costs.
Living with someone with depression is very difficult and stressful for family members and friends. It is helpful if a family member is involved in the evaluation and treatment of a loved one with depression. Sometimes marriage or even family therapy is prescribed by a doctor.

5. Untreated depression can lead to suicide

Depression is a disease with a high risk of suicide. This is the worst but very real part of untreated or ineffectively treated depression. Anyone who exhibits suicidal ideation or thoughts should be taken very seriously.
Most people with clinical depression do not attempt suicide. But according to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 90% of people who die by suicide have depression or other mental disorders, or a substance abuse disorder. Nearly 75% of suicides are committed by men, although twice as many women attempt suicide.
Older people suffer from depression and suicide more than you think, up to 40% of all suicide victims are adults over 60 years old. Older adults experience depression more often due to frequent loss of loved ones and friends as they age. In addition, they also have more chronic illnesses, face many major life changes such as retirement, and transition to assisted living or care.
Factors that increase the risk of suicide related to untreated depression include:
Family history of mental disorders or substance abuse, Family history of abuse physical or sexual. Have had previous suicide attempts, Have family members or friends who have attempted suicide. Mental disorders and substance abuse. Keep a gun in the house. If you or someone you know has risk factors for suicide and also has warning signs, contact mental health professionals right away to get help from them. Also, don't leave the person alone, always have someone by their side. People contemplating suicide often talk about suicide before they even attempt it, so pay attention to what they're saying.
Warning signs of suicide in people with untreated depression include:
Saying, writing, or thinking about suicide or hurting yourself or threatening to do so. Depression that gets worse with sadness, loss of interest, and trouble sleeping and eating. There is a "death wish;" tempt fate by taking risks that can lead to death, for example: Driving through a red light. Loss of interest in things the person used to be interested in. Make comments that show hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness. Say things like "it would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want to get out". Sudden transition from very sad to very calm or unusually cheerful. Make a surprise visit or phone call to someone you care about. Talk about suicide. Increased alcohol or drug use. Write a suicide note. See reports of murders and/or suicides that are widely published in the media. Search online for ways to commit suicide. Look for suicide methods such as gun or poison.

6. Can clinical depression be successfully treated?

Statistics show that more than 80% of people with clinical depression can be successfully treated with early recognition, intervention and support.
Depression affects nearly 19 million people each year, including a large portion of workers. People with untreated depression can often still go to work, but when they do, they can be irritable, tired, and have trouble concentrating. Untreated depression makes it difficult for employees to perform well.
Most people with depression are best treated with psychotherapy, antidepressants, or a combination of both. For treatment-resistant depression that does not respond to antidepressants, there are alternative treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. There is also transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS, or a new nasal spray of ketamine.
Therefore, if the patient has symptoms of depression, it is necessary to take the patient to the doctor immediately to determine the extent of the disease as well as the treatment plan. Psychologists and psychiatrists will use a variety of assessment measures, psychological tests, psychotherapy combined with a number of paraclinical tests
Psychological Clinic - Official Vinmec International General Hospital came into operation in April 2019, has the function of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological problems and psychological health. With modern equipment, Vinmec Mental Health Clinic is currently cooperating with experienced professors and experts:
MSc. Doctor Nguyen Van Phi - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 7 years of experience working as a lecturer in Psychiatry - Hanoi Medical University, Doctor Psychiatrist at Hanoi Medical University Hospital & Central Geriatric Hospital, and a member of the Vietnam Psychiatric Association. MSc. Dr. Pham Thanh Luan - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 5 years of experience in research, examination and treatment of Psychiatric diseases, trained at prestigious universities trust, practice in-depth expertise in the French Republic. MSc. Doctor Nguyen Trong Hien - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 6 years as a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry - Hanoi Medical University and Central Geriatric Hospital, together with Dr. Experience in research, examination and treatment of diseases in Psychiatry such as: emotional disorders, stress-related disorders and body dysmorphic disorders, developmental disorders in children, adolescents & childbirth .... Along with the implementation of psychological tests, intensive psychotherapy for diagnosis and treatment, in order to bring the best medical examination and treatment effect.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: webmd.com