Depression is a mental health disorder that causes a person to feel sad and hopeless. It can interfere with daily life and make it difficult to function at work or school. Despite its high prevalence, depression often goes untreated. This may be due to the stigma surrounding mental illness or because people are ashamed to admit they are struggling. As a result, many people suffering from depression do not get the help they need. Untreated depression can lead to serious consequences.
1. Untreated Depression Can Lead to More Severe Symptoms
Depression is a progressive illness that typically worsens over time if it goes untreated. This can lead to increased frequency and severity of symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts or attempts, self-harm, weight gain or loss, fatigue, and social withdrawal. Depression can eventually take over every aspect of a person’s life.
2. It Can Cause Physical Health Problems
When left untreated, depression can also take a toll on physical health. Studies have shown that people with untreated depression are at an increased risk for developing heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Additionally, depression can worsen existing health problems and make it more difficult to manage chronic pain.
3. Depression Can Lead to Relationship Problems
Depression doesn’t just affect the individual struggling with the disorder—it also takes a toll on relationships. People with depression may withdraw from friends and family, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Additionally, depressive symptoms can make communicating effectively or showing affection difficult, causing tension and conflict in relationships. In some cases, untreated depression may lead to divorce or estrangement from loved ones.
4. It Can Interfere with Work or School Performance
Depression can also make concentrating on work or school tasks difficult, resulting in poorer performance and attendance issues. In severe cases, untreated depression may cause a person to lose their job or fail out of school entirely. This can further compound the other problems associated with untreated depression by causing additional financial strain and feelings of failure or worthlessness.
5. It Can Lead to Substance Abuse
People who struggle with depression may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms. Not only does this put them at risk for developing substance use disorders, but it also exacerbates their depression symptoms and creates a vicious cycle of abuse. Substance abuse can act as a negative reinforcement for people with depression, providing temporary relief from symptoms but ultimately making the condition worse.
6. Untreated Depression Has Been Linked with Suicide
One of the most serious risks associated with untreated depression is suicide.If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it’s important to seek professional help immediately.
Although it is often hard to admit that we need help, seeking treatment for depression is a vital step in beginning to feel better. Too often, people suffering from depression try to tough it out on their own, thinking they should be able to snap out of it. But depression is a real medical condition that requires professional help. Getting the treatment, you need will take an important step toward recovery.
