Depression can aggravate medical comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and coronary artery disease. Depressed individuals are at high risk of developing self-destructive behavior as a coping mechanism. MDD is often very debilitating if left untreated.
Clinical depression has been linked to other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder. Together, these conditions affect millions of Americans.
Depression Increases Your Risk of Physical Illness
Depression has also been linked to heart disease and increased risk for substance abuse.
Differential Diagnosis
Depressive symptoms can be secondary to the following causes: Neurological causes such as cerebrovascular accident, multiple sclerosis, subdural hematoma, epilepsy, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease. Endocrinopathies such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders.
Depressive disorders have a high comorbidity with substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders. Bipolar disorders have a high comorbidity with anxiety disorders and substance abuse disorders while cyclothymic disorder is comorbid with substance-related disorders and sleep disorders.
People with depression are more likely to have inflammatory conditions or autoimmune disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), type 2 diabetes, and arthritis. However, it is unclear whether depression causes inflammation or chronic inflammation makes someone more vulnerable to depression.
People with depression normally have several of the following: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Clinical depression (major depressive disorder) can greatly interfere with your daily functioning and quality of life if it's not treated. People with clinical depression are at a high risk of developing anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, which further increase their risk of suicide.
Depression can happen to anyone. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other stressful events are more likely to develop depression. Women are more likely to have depression than men.
Experiencing trauma early in life and having certain genes can put you at higher risk for depression. But there are actions that can help protect against depression, such as eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep and physical activity.
Depression is one of the most common complications of chronic illness. It's estimated that up to one-third of individuals with a serious medical condition have symptoms of depression. People who have chronic illnesses must adjust to both the illness and its treatment.
Depression may weaken the immune system and cause increased susceptibility to illness. Major or long term illnesses may cause mood disorders such as depression. In some cases, illnesses or conditions may be caused by the same triggers as depression.
People with clinical depression often have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down key neurotransmitters, resulting in very low levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Some examples of chronic illnesses that may cause depression are diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV and AIDS, lupus, and multiple sclerosis (MS). Hypothyroidism may also lead to depressed feelings.
However, unhealthy lifestyles are also related to mental health [3]. Particularly, people with depression frequently smoke, have a higher prevalence of excessive alcohol drinking and are more physically inactive [4].
Depression often gets worse if it isn't treated, resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your life. Examples of complications associated with depression include: Excess weight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes. Pain or physical illness.
Untreated depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses. Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts.
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Comorbid depression means you have depression and another disorder at the same time. For example, you might have generalized anxiety and also major depressive disorder. The generalized anxiety signs happen simultaneously with the symptoms of depression.
Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.
A comorbidity refers to the existence of two or more diseases or conditions in the same individual at the same time. Some of the most common comorbidities that occur alongside BPD are depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.