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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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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See All 3 AnswersDepression has often been referred to as a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Therefore, it is not a surprise that depression is the most common complication of almost all chronic or serious medical conditions. Research has shown that depression often causes changes that can worsen a medical condition and reduce the needed energy necessary to cope with changes and treatment schedules, creating a vicious cycle of worsening physical and emotional symptoms. -
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RealAge answeredSee All 2 AnswersAlong with emotional symptoms and fatigue, major depression can also cause the depressed person to lose interest in food, or use food to self-medicate. You may notice that your aunt with the once hearty appetite no longer seems interested in food, and she is losing weight, says Michael Garrett, MD, vice chairman and professor of Clinical Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. "She's not eating her usual portion or showing relish for the meal." The opposite may also be true – she may be overeating and gaining weight.
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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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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. -
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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.