Why should depression be treated?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Untreated depression can lead to risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse that contribute to poor overall health. To find out if you might be at risk for this serious medical illness, ask yourself these questions:
- Over the past few weeks, did you take pleasure in doing things?
- Have you been feeling down or hopeless?
If you've experienced these feelings the majority of the time, there's a 75% chance you have a depressive disorder and a 38% of having a major depressive disorder.
If you think you might be depressed, seek help from your doctor or a mental health professional.
Untreated depression can lead to risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse that contribute to poor overall health. To find out if you might be at risk for this serious medical illness, ask yourself these questions: Over the past few weeks, did... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:It's important to treat depression because:
- Hurting isn't helpful. "No pain, no gain" doesn't apply to mental health. You don't help anyone by continuing to suffer without treatment. Would you avoid treatment for an earache or broken bone?
- Treatment works. With the right treatment, 80% of those who seek help get better. Many people begin to feel better in just a few weeks.
- You can live better today -- and tomorrow. Treatment can ease your symptoms and help you feel like yourself again. With time, it may even eliminate symptoms entirely and help prevent them from returning.
It's important to treat depression because: Hurting isn't helpful. "No pain, no gain" doesn't apply to mental health. You don't help anyone by continuing to suffer without treatment. Would you avoid treatment for an earache or broken bone?... More
