The effects of depression can impact us physically as well as our behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. In the previous post, we talked about some common signs and symptoms of depression. Left untreated, depression symptoms could increase and lead to serious problems. The sooner you seek treatment for depression the better. Some effects of depression can be temporary and some can even be permanent. The effects of depression interrupts life and can sometimes feel unbearable. As with the common signs and symptoms, not everyone will experience every effect of depression listed below. Here are some effects of untreated depression that one may experience with depression.
The Physical Effects of Depression
- Tiredness or lack of energy – you can get a full 8 hours of sleep but still feel like you have no energy for anything, you find yourself getting drained easily
- Unexplained body aches and pains – you’ve been to the doctor but they are unable to explain why you’re having back, chest, or stomach pains
- Changes in eating – eating more or eating less, not having the energy or interest in cooking meals
- Changes in weight – gaining weight or losing weight
- Changes in sleep – you find yourself sleeping too much, too little, or experiencing insomnia
- Sexual problems – the brain circuits that communicates with your sex organs with chemicals are not be functioning properly and may affect your sexual desire
The Effects of Depression on Behaviors
- Isolating yourself from others – you don’t want to be bothered by anyone, you stop hanging out with your friends or going to family functions, you ignore phone calls and don’t respond to text messages
- Substance abuse – you starting drinking more or using drugs to numb yourself from the pain that you are feeling
- Missing work, school or other commitments – you find it very hard to get out of bed, you would rather stay at home then deal with going to work or school, you have no interest or don’t feel like going to that party that you already RSVP’d to with a yes
- Self-harm – you can’t put your pain into words or need a distraction from the emotional pain so self-harm behaviors such as cutting, burning, or hitting yourself becomes a way of coping
The Effects of Depression on Feelings
- Sadness – you’re feeling sad or depressed and you just can’t seem to shake it
- Hopelessness – you feel like there’s no hope for relief, you’re constantly asking yourself “what’s the point?”, you feel like your future looks bleak
- Angry outbursts/ Irritability– you find yourself lashing out in anger, it seems like everything sets you off or pushes your buttons
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy– you don’t feel like yourself so you stop having fun, with all that is going on you feel like fun is the last thing you need
The Effects of Depression on Thoughts
- Trouble concentrating/focusing – you’re sitting at your desk at work or at school but your mind is elsewhere, you find it hard to listen to what the teacher is saying or focus on that stack of paperwork that you’ve been working on all day at work
- Trouble remembering – you can’t seem to remember anything lately, you gathered up the strength to go to the store only to forget what you went there to buy
- Thoughts of harming yourself – you feel like the pain is becoming unbearable or that your problems will never go away and you can’t take living like this anymore, you feel like cutting helps distract you from the emotional pain
- Delusions and/or hallucinations – with severe depression you may be seeing or hearing things that no one else does
If you are experiencing thoughts of wanting to harm yourself, please reach out for help! If you do not know who to contact, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). Veterans may contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800 273-8255 (press 1). These toll-free crisis hotlines offer 24-hour suicide prevention and support. Your call is free and confidential.
In my previous post, we provided information such as some effects that depression may have on you if left untreated. If you think you are experiencing depression, check out my previous post for common signs and symptoms of depression. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, you do not have to go through this alone. We look forward to working with you in our Charlotte (University area) counseling office or our Rock Hill (downtown area) counseling office. Give us call at 980-209-3222 or you may schedule an appointment to get started with living the life you desire.
