How Does Depression Affect Your Health?
Depression is a serious illness that is often left untreated. The cause of depression is not always known, but it can sometimes be triggered by a stressful loss, such as the death of a loved one. The National Institute of Mental Health has found that over 11.6 Americans are affected by this illness. Everyone experiences times in their lives when they feel sad or gloomy, but depression is more than that. It is a debilitating condition that affects more than just your mood. It can impact the way someone eats, sleeps, and works. It affects a person's self-esteem and their relationships. Depression is not something that someone can choose to snap out of. Without treatment, their symptoms can drag on for long periods of time. Besides affecting a person's feelings, depression can impact many other areas of a person's health.
Depression has health consequences that affect daily life. It can affect the amount and quality of sleep. Depression sufferers often have less energy, have a poor short term memory, are lethargic, and are unable to concentrate. Some experience a diminished sex drive. Depression can also lead to chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and even panic attacks. Depression can also cause feelings of sadness. It can cause an increase or a decrease in appetite. Some depressed individuals show symptoms of hyperactivity or will feel rejected. In some instances, depressed people consider committing suicide.
A link has been discovered between depression and heart disease. Depression can lead to a serotonin deficiency. A healthy amount of serotonin helps prevent the formation of blood clots. With less serotonin in the blood stream, blood clots are more likely to form. When a blood clot blocks the flow of blood through a vein or an artery, a stroke or heart attack can result.
Depression can cause increased amounts of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol makes it more difficult for the bones to absorb calcium. As a result, some sufferers of depression have a higher risk of osteoporosis. This risk increases in women who are approaching menopause. Increased cortisol levels can quicken the rate of calcium loss in the bones as a person ages.
When depression is linked with a chronic illness, a person's health suffers more than someone who has a chronic illness without depression. Those that are depressed and also have cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, epilepsy, or heart disease have a higher chance of becoming disabled from these conditions than those who do not suffer from depression. They also run a higher risk of dying. Conditions like angina, arthritis, and asthma are also exacerbated.
Even though depression can cause several health problems and can make other illnesses worse, many people that suffer from depression never seek treatment. Around two-thirds of sufferers never seek treatment for their illness. Some will spend weeks, months, or even years with depression. This doesn't have to be the case. Between 80 and 90 percent of depression sufferers feel better within weeks of beginning treatment. If you feel that you might be suffering from depression, see your doctor and get help. Most health insurance companies cover depression, but it is a good idea to review your insurance policy to find out exactly what they cover when you seek treatment.