Depression is a physical disease of the brain, which is also affected by a person’s environment and daily interactions. It results in a persistent state of sadness that may interfere with an individual’s thoughts, behavior, mood and physical health.
Symptoms can include:1
- Lack of interest in or pleasure from activities typically enjoyed
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness or guilt
- Changes in sleep habits and energy levels
- Significant weigh gain or loss
- Feeling anxious, tense, nervous or fearful
- Physical symptoms (pain in the body, headaches, upset stomach, etc.)
- Mood is sad or easily tearful
- Intrusive negative thoughts
- Staying in bed or napping during the day to “escape”
- Urge to isolate self
If left untreated or ineffectively treated, depression can have costly effects on self and family. When depressed, people are often reluctant to attend social gatherings or even join the family dinner table, which can strain family and other relationships. Seemingly simple tasks, such as taking a shower, doing the dishes, or driving a car, seem daunting and overwhelming to someone suffering from depression. It is not unusual for work to become increasingly difficult, leaving some to take a leave of absence from their employment. Those suffering from chronic depression also have a higher risk of developing other medical conditions, being unable to effectively treat other medical conditions, and a higher risk of mortality from these conditions. 2 Some studies even suggest that the family members of those suffering from chronic Major Depressive Disorder may experience higher risk of illness due to strain on their immune system caused by worry and anxiety. 3
Learn More: Common Treatments for Depression
- Major Depressive Episode. In: First MB, ed. Diagnositc and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000: 349-356. ↩
- Culpepper, L. Why Do You Need to Move Beyond First-Line Therapy for Major Depression? J Clin Psychiatry 2010; 71 (suppl 1): S5-S6. ↩
- Sobieraj M, Williams J, Marley J, Ryan P. The impact of depression on the physical health of family members. British Journal of General Practice 1998; 48:1653-1655. ↩
