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Depression and your health
There is mounting evidence that depression takes a serious toll on physical
health. The most recent studies exploring health and depression have looked at
patients with stroke or coronary artery disease. Results have shown that people
with depression who are recovering from strokes or heart attacks have a more
difficult time making health care choices, following their doctor’s
instructions, and coping with the challenges that their illness presents. Another
study found that patients with depression also have a higher risk of death in
the first few months after a heart attack.
Fighting infection
When the mind is under stress, the body suffers, too. The psychological
stress experienced during depression can reduce your body’s ability to fight
infection. Vaccinations are less effective in people with depression, also
leaving them more vulnerable to illness.
In addition, people with depression are less likely to seek
treatment for other illnesses, and are less likely to follow their doctor’s
treatment advice.
Sleep deprivation
One of the most telling symptoms of depression is a change in sleep
patterns. Although the most common problem is insomnia (difficulty getting
adequate sleep), people sometimes feel an increased need for sleep and excessive
energy loss. Lack of sleep can cause some of the same symptoms as depression—extreme
tiredness, loss of energy, irritability, and difficulty concentrating or making
decisions.
Signs of insomnia include:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking up at all hours of the night
- Waking up before the alarm clock goes off
- Trouble going back to sleep after waking up during the
night
- Sleep that never feels like "enough"
Depression and alcohol and drug abuse
Alcohol and drug abuse are common among those with depression, especially
teens, and young and middle-age males. It is especially important to encourage
these people to get help because they are more likely to attempt suicide.
Signs of drug and alcohol abuse include:
- Secretive use of alcohol
- Unwillingness to talk about drugs or alcohol
- Unexplained memory loss
- Inability to maintain personal relationships
- Self-pity
- Tremors
Those who suffer depression and abuse drugs or alcohol may
need very specialized treatment.
Depression as a disability
Depression can render a person disabled in their work life, family life, and
social life. It affects almost 19 million people each year, including a large
portion of the working population. This means a cost not only to those with
depression (in terms of lost wages), but a cost to employers and the economy as
well. Estimated total cost to the nation is more than $43 billion—from days
spent at home to decreased productivity that results from the inability to make
good decisions and the lack of concentration and energy.
Nearly 80 percent of people with depression benefit from treatment
and can live fulfilling, productive lives. Employers can help by ensuring that
benefit plans include mental health care professionals and by providing
employee assistance programs.
Depression and your family
Living with a depressed person can be very difficult and stressful on family
members and friends. It can be helpful to have a family member involved in the
evaluation and treatment of a depressed relative. Sometimes marital
or even family therapy is indicated.
Depression and suicide
Most people who suffer from depression do not attempt suicide, but according
to the National Mental Health Association, 30 to 70 percent of suicide victims have
suffered from a form of depression. Men commit almost 75 percent of suicides, even
though twice as many women attempt it.
The population most impacted by depression and suicide is the
elderly. Twenty percent of all suicide victims are adults over the age of 65.
Reasons that older adults suffer more frequently from depression include: more
frequent loss of loved ones and friends as they age, more chronic illnesses,
more major life changes like retirement, or the transition into assisted living
or nursing care.
Risk factors for suicide include:
- Having mental and substance abuse disorders
- Family history of mental or substance abuse disorder
- Having attempted suicide previously
- Having a family history of physical or sexual abuse
- Having family members or friends who have attempted
suicide
- Keeping a firearm in the home
If you or someone you know has the risk factors for suicide
and has also displayed warning signs, do not leave them alone. Seek the help of
a mental health care professional right away. People often talk about suicide
before they attempt it, so pay close attention to what they are saying.
Some warning signs of suicide:
- Talking about suicide (killing one’s self)
- Always talking or thinking about death
- Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or
worthless
- Saying things like "It would be better if I wasn’t
here" or "I want out"
- Depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble
sleeping and eating) that gets worse
- A sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or
appearing to be happy
- Having a "death wish" -- tempting fate by taking
risks that could lead to death, like driving through red lights
- Losing interest in things one used to care about
- Visiting or calling people one cares about
- Putting affairs in order, tying up lose ends, changing a
will
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