How Does Depression Affect Health?
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Effect on Psychological Health
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The effect of depression on a person's psychological health can be indirect. Many people report a feeling of being caught in a deep hole with the inability to get out. They suffer from increased nervousness and are prone to having anxiety attacks. The depressed person may not realize the downward cycle that he is in before it is too late. Some depressed people suffer from a need to hoard items, which can cause increased clutter and result in safety issues. The depressed person may be unable to sleep. He may refuse to go outdoors and refuse visitors. As a result, his psychological health and physical health will continue to be compounded until treatment is administered.
Effect on Psychosocial Health
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A depressed person will sometimes isolate himself from others. He may feel unworthy of having visitors. He may refuse to go out into public or to social functions such as church. A person with depression may have a great deal of difficulty going to work and may frequently call in sick. Simple tasks such as going to the grocery store can quickly become out of reach as the depression spirals down. Intervention such as treatment with medications and/or psychological therapy may be needed. Without interventions, the patient's depression may worsen and the patient may become neglectful of himself. At this time there is also an increased risk of suicide due to the patient feeling hopeless and alone.
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Effect on Physical Health
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The patient with depression is more likely to suffer from more than one illness and have chronic pain. In the June 2007 issue of Alternative & Complementary Therapies, S. Horowitz reports that patients with depression tend to have more persistent and intense pain than other patients. These patients are also more likely suffer from multiple illnesses. The depressed person may suffer from obesity or anorexia and may have to deal with health complications from these diseases. He is also less likely to follow the physician's recommendations and may even file for disability at an early age.
Treatments for Depression
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There are many antidepressant medications that can be prescribed for depression. However, keep in mind that medication often has side effects that can also be difficult to live with. There are also various psychological therapies that a patient can receive from a local mental health center. The website for The Depression Health Guide recommends a patient undergo both pharmacological and psychological therapy as treatment. The combination of both treatments seems to be the most successful with treating the illness.
Recovery From Depression
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Recovery from depression is a long, ongoing process. The person may need to remain on medication or have ongoing therapy for the rest of their lives. The person may also suffer from relapse and have to seek medical help to adjust medication dosages or get a variation in therapy. Successfully recovering from depression means that the person is able to perform normal daily activities. Recovery from depression will mean that the person is able to live life without the interruption of debilitating despair.
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References
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