What can happen if you don't treat depression?

Untreated clinical depression is a serious problem. Untreated depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses.


What are 5 consequences of depression?

Some of the physical effects include erratic sleep habits, loss of appetite (or increased appetite with atypical depression), constant fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, and back pain. It's easy to dismiss these symptoms as stemming from another condition, but they are often because of depression.

Does untreated depression cause brain damage?

Depression may cause the release of glucocorticoid in the brain, a type of steroid that can damage the hippocampus and other areas of the central nervous system. When this occurs, you may experience symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorder (dementia), such as memory loss.


What are some consequences of depression?

What Long-Term Emotional Risks and Consequences are Caused by Untreated Depression?
  • Serious (Additional) Health Issues. ...
  • Relationship Trouble. ...
  • Lack of Productivity. ...
  • Alcoholism or Drug Dependency. ...
  • Suicide.


Can untreated depression lead to psychosis?

Some people who have severe clinical depression will also experience hallucinations and delusional thinking, the symptoms of psychosis.


5 Signs Someone's Depression Calls for Inpatient Care



What happens if mental health is left untreated?

Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering. Untreated mental health conditions can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and suicide, and poor quality of life.

Can untreated depression turn into schizophrenia?

As we've explored already, depression is a disorder of a different kind and category than schizophrenia. This means that depression does not ultimately evolve into schizophrenia. But there are overlaps in symptoms and side effects with the two disorders, and it is possible for someone to have both disorders at once.

What is the most serious form of depression?

Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.


What can depression do to your brain?

As depression starts to affect the brain's chemical balances, neurons in the hippocampus shrink, which can cause difficulty concentrating and memory loss. A shrunken hippocampus can also make completing familiar tasks difficult, which can lead to hopelessness, guilt, and anxiety.

What happens to your body after depression?

Depression can affect the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infection. Some vaccinations, such as the shingles vaccine, may even be less effective in older adults with depression. Depression has also been linked to heart disease and increased risk for substance abuse.

Can depression cause sudden death?

People living with untreated depression can experience a variety of physical health problems that can lead to death in some cases. In addition, in severe cases, a person living with depression may contemplate suicide. They may also resort to substance misuse for self-medication, which can lead to death.


Can depression permanently damage memory?

Is Depression Memory Loss Permanent? As discussed, depression is believed to affect short-term memory loss. When the underlying symptoms are treated, memory issues typically subside. A recent 2019 study found a potential way to reverse the memory loss linked to both depression and aging.

Is depression a permanent condition?

There's no cure for depression, but there are lots of effective treatments. People can recover from depression and live long and healthy lives.

What happens in the stage of depression?

Symptoms of depression

low mood. reduction in or loss of pleasure in activities. significant changes in weight or appetite. excessive sleep (hypersomnia) or lack of sleep (insomnia)


What is considered the most serious complication of depression?

Clinical depression can complicate serious health conditions such as heart disease or cancer. Depression can lead to problems with pain, sexual desire and performance, and sleep. The more you know about depression complications, the more you'll understand why it's important to not let clinical depression go untreated.

What is the most common complication of depression?

Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems. Social isolation. Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide. Self-mutilation, such as cutting.

What are the 4 main causes of depression?

Causes - Clinical depression
  • Stressful events. Most people take time to come to terms with stressful events, such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown. ...
  • Personality. ...
  • Family history. ...
  • Giving birth. ...
  • Loneliness. ...
  • Alcohol and drugs. ...
  • Illness.


What is the brain lacking when you have depression?

People with clinical depression often have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down key neurotransmitters, resulting in very low levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

What organ does guilt affect?

Guilt, Fishkin says, is associated with activity in the prefrontal cortex, the logical-thinking part of the brain. Guilt can also trigger activity in the limbic system. (That's why it can feel so anxiety-provoking.)

What qualifies as extreme depression?

Severe depression is often characterized by symptoms of hopelessness, increased irritability, loss of pleasure, trouble concentrating or sleeping, or thoughts of death or suicide. 1 Technically, severe depression isn't a formal mental health diagnosis. Instead, it refers to more debilitating depression.


Can you live with major depression?

Tips for Living Well with Major Depressive Disorder

But those struggling with this illness are not alone. It's one of the most common and most treatable mental health disorders. With early, continuous treatment, people can gain control of their symptoms, feel better, and get back to enjoying their lives.

What are the 3 levels of depression?

You may be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe depression. Your mental health professional may diagnose you with depression if these symptoms: happen most days.

What does a psychotic break look like?

Typically, a psychotic break indicates the first onset of psychotic symptoms for a person or the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms after a period of remission. Symptoms may include delusional thoughts and beliefs, auditory and visual hallucinations, and paranoia.


Can depression lead to dementia?

Both studies found that prolonged depressive symptoms in later life (in the decade before dementia onset, and not earlier) are good predictors of increased dementia risk. Other studies have also found similar associations such that having depression in later life can double the risk of developing dementia.

Am I schizophrenic or just depressed?

Here are a few key differences between the two conditions. A person with manic depression will be more expressive with his or her feelings, while a person with schizophrenia will be unable to show emotion, lack facial expressions, and speak with a flat tone.