Major depression goes hand in hand with sleep troubles like insomnia. The less you sleep, the more things bother you and the harder it is to get a good night's sleep. It's a vicious cycle that stresses your body and jeopardizes the success of your treatment plan. The systems in your body that control hormones and brain waves depend on a smoothly running body clock to keep you balanced, so restoring healthy sleep patterns is essential for your mental and physical health. Getting on a regular bedtime schedule will help reset your internal clock so your body knows when to sleep and when to wake. Set aside 30 minutes before bed to finish the day’s must-dos (10 minutes), do hygiene things (10 minutes), and wind down with some deep breathing or meditation (10 minutes).
Depression Complications
Medically untreated depression puts people at higher risk for infectious diseases, type 2 diabetes and heart problems. People who do not seek treatment for depression also fail to thrive in work, home and school settings. It can negatively affect relationships, sleep patterns and libido. In severe cases untreated depression can result in suicide.
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See All 2 AnswersDepression affects the body in much the same way as chronic stress does. Depression is associated with changes in sleep patterns (too little or too much), appetite and body weight (loss or gain), and lack of sexual desire or functioning. It can increase your sensitivity to pain and is even linked to heart disease. Many of these effects on the body go hand in hand, so it's difficult to say which is directly caused by depression. Some of these changes may actually be a cause of depression. It is probably best to think of the link between depression and its associated effects on the body as a cyclical relationship. -
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Challenge America answeredDepression impairs sexual function by lowering libido (sexual desire) and dulling feelings of pleasure. Veterans with depression may feel uninterested in sex, or have difficulty initiating or completing the act. This inability to be aroused or to perform then creates a loss of confidence, which can hurt the progress of recovery from depression. In addition, depression adds tension and strain to relationships with partners or spouses, which in turn affects sexual intimacy. Between 35% - 61% of depressed patients (depending on the severity of the condition) in the general population report having problems with sex. Antidepressant drugs such as SSRIs can sometimes have side effects that interfere with sexual desire and performance. Veterans using SSRIs to treat their depression might benefit from changing medications if they are experiencing a negative effect on their sexual lives. -
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Donna Hill Howes, RN , Family Medicine, answeredDepression increases the risk of complications following heart surgery. The problems can include increased pain and fatigue (tiredness), which may slow healing or make recovery more difficult. -
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered
A mother suffering from depression can negatively affect her child's development. Watch this video as Dr. Mike Roizen and Dr. Ellen Rome talk about the effects of and remedies for postpartum depression.
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Dr. Erika T. Schwartz, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 3 AnswersChronic illnesses are very often the cause of depression. The risk for depression is high in people diagnosed with chronic illness. To avoid adding another diagnosis to your chronic disease, you must focus on finding a good support group that does not focus on negative issues and work with physicians that do not scare you into getting depressed. Family and friend support are also key and a good therapist may be what the doctor ordered for you to work out the issues associated with the diagnosis of a chronic illness. -
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Dr. Ramani Durvasula, PhD , Psychology, answeredSee All 2 Answers
Changes in appetite are one of the key symptoms seen in depression - some lose their appetite and don't eat enough, while others overeat. Watch me discuss how a change in appetite is a common symptom of depression. -
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One potential complication of depression is self-medication with alcohol and/or drugs. Those suffering from depression may also experience poor concentration, disrupted sleep, decreased energy and/or apathy. Any and all of these issues may contribute to problems with work, school and relationships. However, the most worrisome complication of depression is suicidal ideation, which may result in suicide attempts.