Can Depression Really Kill You

Can Depression Really Kill You Depression Symptoms Print Can Depression Be Life-Threatening? Understanding the Risks By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 15, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 22, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Tara Moore / Taxi / Getty Images Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. While depression cannot directly kill you the way that an illness like cancer or tuberculosis might, it can have certain effects that increase a persons risk of death. Learn about the relationship between depression and death and how depression can be life-threatening. Increased Risk of Suicide One of the main ways that depression might lead to death is if the negative symptoms result in a person deciding to take their own life. Depression can make people feel helpless and without hope, causing them to reach the unfortunate conclusion that suicide is the only way to end their misery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide was the tenth leading cause of death among all age groups in the year 2017. In 2016, there were nearly 45,000 deaths attributed to suicide in the United States.?? The American Association of Suicidology estimates that depression is present in about half of all suicides. According to the CDC, the other half, about 54%, of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition.   Suicide Warning Signs and Risk Factors What to Do If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor or mental health professional. They can recommend treatment options such as antidepressants and talk therapy, both of which can relieve symptoms and help you feel better. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. How to Help Someone Who Is Feeling Suicidal Self-Medicating Depression can also lead some individuals to turn to drugs and or alcohol to self-medicate emotional problems. This can occur more often when people are unable to deal or cope with painful feelings of sadness, isolation, anger, hopelessness, and stress. When a person has depression and they develop an unhealthy dependency on these substances, it is known as a dual diagnosis  since there is an issue of depression and an issue of a substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis complicates the treatment of depression since both conditions must be dealt with as separate, yet interconnected, issues.   The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that one in four deaths in America can be blamed on alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use.?? In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that substance misuse is one of the biggest risk factors for suicide.?? What to Do If you have symptoms of depression and substance misuse, it is important to talk to your doctor about your feelings and behaviors. An appropriate diagnosis can help ensure that you get the right treatment to address each condition. Short-term treatments involve quitting any substances you might be using. Your doctor can make recommendations about the detox and withdrawal process. Depending on the substance in question and the frequency and duration of use, your doctor may recommend inpatient residential treatment or outpatient options to assist during this process. In some cases, you may be able to go through this process at home, but you should always talk to your doctor first. Drug withdrawal can be life-threatening in some cases and requires professional intervention and medical monitoring. Long-term treatments of dual-diagnosis issues may involve the use of antidepressants, psychotherapy, and other medications to address symptoms of depression. Medications to aid in recovery, behavioral counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, contingency management, and support groups may all be helpful approaches when it comes to treating substance use problems. If you need help with a substance or alcohol problem, you can contact SAMHSAs National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) anytime for advice and referrals to treatment facilities and support groups in your area. How Substance Use Can Lead to Mood Disorders Complications of Other Illnesses Chronic illness can also increase the risk of depression. In some cases, this may be because of the stress of coping with illness makes it more likely that a person will experience symptoms of depression. Some health conditions, such as stroke and Parkinsons disease, can also cause changes in the brain that contribute to depression.?? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression can be common in people with illnesses including: DiabetesMultiple sclerosisCancerAlzheimers diseaseRheumatoid arthritisHIV/AIDSStrokeHeart diseaseEpilepsy Research suggests that depression can make co-existing illnesses harder to treat because if youre not feeling well emotionally, its harder to comply with your treatment regimen. In addition, people with depression appear to be at greater risk of contracting certain illnesses, such as  heart disease.?? All of these factors combined may put people at greater risk for dying from their medical illness than they otherwise would be if they did not have depression. Further research is still needed to explore the connection between depression and other medical conditions. Some suggested theories include the fact that it may be more difficult for people with depression to take care of their health and they may have less access to medical care. Physiological changes such as increased inflammation and  alterations in stress hormones may also play a role.?? What to Do Collaborative treatment options that address symptoms of depression, lifestyle, and other illnesses can be effective at managing co-existing depression and chronic conditions. If you have a medical condition and are experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor. In some cases, such as if you have a thyroid condition, what you are feeling may actually be connected to your illness and treating the underlying condition may help relieve symptoms of depression.?? Treatment options often involve the use of psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of both. One study found that both evidence-based psychotherapy and antidepressants were effective at treating symptoms of depression in individuals with co-occurring diabetes.?? Depression-Like Symptoms That Could Point to Another Illness Poor Lifestyle Choices If youre depressed, its harder to make good lifestyle choices. You may not sleep or eat well, you may not get much exercise, or you may drink, smoke, or use drugs. All of these factors can increase the risk of illness and poor health, which, in turn, makes a person more likely to die prematurely. Depression is a mental disorder, but it also has a major impact on physical health and overall well-being. Potential complications can include: Diabetes: Research suggests that people with depression are much more likely to develop diabetes, although it is not clear if one causes the other or vice versa. One study found that people with major depression and diabetes with or without evidence of heart disease have a higher number of cardiovascular risk factors.??Nutritional deficiencies: Some studies suggest that nutritional deficiencies may contribute to depression and that dietary changes that are a symptom of depression may also lead to deficiencies, particularly in B vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids.??Stress-related complications: Stress can contribute to symptoms of depression, and depression can lead to increased stress. Stress can have a wide variety of negative health effects including sleep disturbances, anxiety, and decreased immunity. It can also trigger and aggravate other medical conditions.?? Why Some People Are More Prone to Depression Self-Help Strategies for Depression Along with the individual treatment plan that you and your mental health professional develop to treat your depression, you can also employ some self-help strategies to help stave off feelings of sadness or emptiness. Here are some ideas:Keep a journalWalk or cuddle with your petDance to your favorite musicJoin a gym to get exercise, a natural mood booster, and make new friendsPaint, color, or drawCall a friend or close family memberUse  relaxation techniques   A Word From Verywell When youre depressed, it can seem like your life will never get better and nothing will ever help, but thats not the case. Depression is highly treatable with medication such as antidepressants, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, but always reach out to emergency services immediately if you are in immediate danger.