Countless people today are depressed. They feel sad and hopeless. Furthermore, they have no interest in things they used to enjoy. What should a person know about this common mental illness? How can they get help so the depression doesn’t progress?
Why Depression Progresses
Depression tends to progress if left untreated. Chemical and structural changes in the brain often worsen over time. Neural connections in the brain are strengthened by repeated negative thought patterns. The person finds it hard to be positive with this constant negativity.
Additionally, the longer someone suffers from depression, the more likely they are to isolate socially and withdraw from interpersonal relationships. However, social connection and support are vital protective factors against worsening depression. Losing these social buffers compounds the illness.
The many stresses and functional impairments that accompany depression, from career struggles to self-care difficulties, pile up over time. These accumulating lifestyle disruptions and losses can drive depression severity upward in a self-perpetuating cycle.
On a biological, emotional, social, and functional level, the spiral of depression progresses without interventions to treat its underlying causes and break its self-reinforcing patterns. Seeking professional treatment is crucial.
Progression of Symptoms
Multiple studies have explored how depression progresses when left untreated. In many cases, the condition does become exacerbated, with more frequent and intense depressive episodes. Symptoms that may worsen include:
– Difficulty functioning at work, school, or home- Withdrawal from social activities and relationships – Disrupted sleep habits and changes in appetite- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
As symptoms get worse, the person becomes more at risk. They may think of harming themselves or committing suicide. Help is needed right away. It’s a matter of finding the right treatment for types of depression that will help them.
Biological Factors
Several biological factors may contribute to the development of depression. Genetics plays a significant role. Some infectious agents and chronic illnesses such as cancer have also been linked to higher rates of depression. Diet, gut health, inflammation, and sleep quality may also impact biological mechanisms connected to mood. Ultimately, depression is a heterogeneous and complex condition with no single biological cause. Both genetic vulnerabilities and environmental triggers likely interplay to produce dysregulation in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior that manifests in a depressed state.
Risk Factors and Complications
Certain risk factors make it more likely that an individual’s depression will worsen without treatment. Having other mental health issues like anxiety or trauma can worsen the course of depression. Medical problems, prescription medications, drug abuse, poverty, isolation, or difficult life events also contribute to worsening.
Additionally, depression can lead to the development or worsening of other medical conditions when untreated. It strains the immune system, elevates inflammation, and contributes to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and dementia risk. Other potential complications include employment loss, academic issues, relationship conflict, and alcohol or drug addiction.
Ongoing Treatment
Those suffering from depression often require ongoing treatment due to the recurrent nature of the condition. Continued treatment helps reinforce new patterns of thinking and behavior that counteract the distortion depression causes in cognition and worldview. Staying on medications for a sustained period may be necessary to facilitate the stability of key neurotransmitters linked to the disorder as well. Ongoing psychotherapy further equips the individual with healthy coping strategies and tools to recognize triggers and signs of relapse more quickly. With proper long-term management, those with depression can better achieve lasting remission and reduce impairment to quality of life or functioning. However, due to its recurring traits, this condition warrants ongoing vigilance and care.
The research clearly demonstrates that allowing depression to go untreated sets off a cascade effect of exacerbating symptoms and elevated risks. While the trajectory varies based on an individual’s genetics, environment, resources, and coping methods, prompt professional care offers the best chance at avoiding a downward spiral. Maintaining one’s mental health, relationships, and quality of life relies on taking symptoms of depression seriously right from the start.
