Depression is a mental health condition where the individual experiences a constant or unshakeable sense of sadness and lack of interest in things they previously enjoyed. Also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, this disorder affects how you feel, think and behave, and can contribute to many other physical and mental health problems. Individuals experiencing depression may have trouble carrying on with daily life, and sometimes may feel as though life isn’t worth living.
Depression isn’t just ‘feeling sad’, and it certainly isn’t a weakness of character. Common misconceptions and stigmatization lead people to believe that, with enough force of will, a depressed person could simply step out of their depression. On the contrary, depression may need long-term treatment. The good news is that with the right form of treatment and a combination of therapy options most people will feel better.
What is Major Depression?
Depression can affect anybody, regardless of their age, gender and background, but there is not yet a common understanding of the symptoms associated with depression. This can lead to the condition going unnoticed and untreated in some people, so that individuals are not aware of the treatment options available to them.
For this reason, it is helpful for those living with depression, as well as their close friends and family members, to accurately understand depression itself as well as the long-term risks it poses if not treated early.
Every person who lives with depression is unique, and so is the disorder. For some people depression is a condition which might occur only once during their life, but most people typically experience multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms may occur daily and for a significant part of the day.
Some of the main symptoms of major depression include:
- Feelings of emptiness and lack of hope
- Extreme exhaustion
- Loss of appetite
- Binge eating
- Very frequent dark thoughts
- Struggling to get out of bed
- Intrusive thoughts about death and dying
- Suicidal ideation and, in some cases, attempting suicide
What Are The Risks of Untreated Major Depression?
Social connection and support from family members or friends is a crucial part of maintaining physical and mental wellness. If you or someone you know is living with untreated depression, it is likely that they have become isolated or that their relationships are suffering.
Untreated depression can also make it difficult to develop new relationships or to reach out to others. Often, for someone going through a major depressive episode, the very idea of having a conversation with somebody can be terrifying and difficult.
Without proper treatment, depression can cause individuals to become closed off or anti-social. The result of this is often poor work or school performance and the loss of personal relationships.
This can also become a vicious cycle as loneliness and isolation itself has been found to accelerate the onset of depression. For this reason, tackling social isolation could help reduce the risks of major depression.
Physical Implications of Untreated Depression
Depression doesn’t only affect your mind: it has serious physical health implications which, if left untreated, are at risk of increasing.
These health issues can include:
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Sleep problems
- Heart disease
- Low or high body weight
- Chronic physical pain
- Weakened immune system.
Suffering from severe depression may affect a person’s ability to get out of bed, which makes them unable to meet their own basic needs. When our personal care, hygiene and nutritional needs are not being met, we become vulnerable to other illness. It is also thought that individuals with depression respond less well to treatment for other conditions.
In some cases, depression can lead to suicidal ideation or going through with an act of suicide. If you or a loved one are living with depression and you are worried about the safety of life, get in touch with someone who can help today.
A Day in The Life Of: Major Depressive Disorder
One of the most difficult things about depression is how misunderstood it is as a condition. Although mental health is being more commonly talked about in recent years, there is still stigmatization around mental illness, including depression. In some cultures and demographics, it is not the norm to discuss emotions and feelings. The lack of conversation and, in some cases, taboo around mention of the illness can cause many people to live with untreated depression. This poses the risk that their situation could deteriorate, leading to a worsening of symptoms or a suicide attempt.
Although depression is very common, people tend to be unfamiliar with the way the disease manifests or quite how severe it can be. For somebody living with depression, carrying out every day functions such as getting out of bed, showering and eating can become extremely challenging. Energy levels tend to be very low and therefore holding down a job, completing school work, and maintaining relationships can be extremely difficult. This can create a cycle of negativity, isolation and loneliness.
Caring for Your Mental Health
For those living with major depression it is crucial to seek professional help. There are a range of recovery options which may include medication, traditional talk therapy, family therapy and alternative options. Additionally, there are certain things you do in order to care for your well being, both during depressive episodes and when you are feeling okay.
Techniques such as meditation can help you to maintain a more positive outlook. Self-hypnosis is also recommended for stress reduction and improved sleep. Trying to maintain a balanced diet and keep to a daily routine can be very, and exercise has been proven to dramatically improve the condition of individuals who are living with depression.
TMS for Treating Depression
The good news is that there are many different treatment options to help you overcome major depression. Psychotherapy and medication-assisted treatment have both proven effective for many individuals. However, in some cases, depression is resistant to these treatments. In these scenarios, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy can be the answer.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is an FDA approved treatment for individuals who have not responded to other treatment. TMS is a safe, non-invasive form of brain stimulation.
The goal of TMS is to target affected brain areas and reawaken or calm the activity of brain cells in specific areas. Compared to other types of brain stimulation, TMS only targets the affected part of your brain and does not require anesthesia or hospitalization.
Recovery From Mental Illness at GIA MIA
At GIA Miami, our expert team can help individuals avoid the long-term problems associated with not seeking treatment for depression. We encourage you to reach out to us and learn about your treatment options today.
We combine experience, knowledge, and cutting-edge technology to tailor individualized treatment plans for all of our clients. Depression can be all-encompassing, and we know how difficult it can be to live through, but recovery is possible and we’re here to guide you through.
Everybody deserves to live their best life; mental illness shouldn’t compromise that. You can get through to us at 561.462.4099 to talk through our treatment programs, understand your health insurance options, and ask any other questions you might have. Your health and happiness is our mission: let us take it on together.
