Depression Complications

Depression is a serious mental illness that requires medical attention. Treatment can help alleviate symptoms or banish them altogether. But left untreated, depression can often get worse and last for months or years. It can interfere with every aspect of your life and cause pain to you and your loved ones. The longer it goes on before treatment, the greater the chance that you’ll have another episode. That’s why it’s so important to acknowledge your emotions and seek help.

Major complications of depression can include:

Suicide or attempted suicide – Sixty percent of people who commit suicide suffer from depression.

Substance abuse and alcoholism – Up to 25 percent of people who abuse substances suffer from untreated depression.

Heart disease and other medical conditions – Depressed patients are more likely than non-depressed patients to develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Other complications of depression may include:

• Insomnia
• Unexplained physical pain
• Social isolation
• Marriage, work, and family problems
• Anxiety