The fatal effects of depression

Depression is a disease that affects every aspect of a person’s life.  The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, depression will be the second-leading cause of disability in the world, just behind cardiovascular disease. The disease is typically characterised by low self-esteem, low mood and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.

Depression isn’t just debilitating; it can be deadly. It’s common in people of all ages, but nearly 50 percent of affected individuals encounter depression between the ages of 20 and 50. The average age when a first depressive episode happens is around 26 years. 

According to a study conducted by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) in partnership with Hexor and Lundbeck, 25 percent of South African employees have been diagnosed with depression.

The lifetime prevalence of depression in SA is 9.7 percent. About 20 percent of South Africans will experience a depressive disorder at least once in their lifetime. There are 23 known suicides in South Africa every day. For every person who commits a suicide, 10 attempt it.

Untreated depression

While depression may be treatable; an estimated one out of five people with depression will attempt suicide at some point. By getting help and following your treatment plan, you can prevent these complications.

Untreated depression can even affect your immune response to some vaccines. A depressed person displays the following symptoms:

• Irritability or anxiety.
• Shifts in appetite and weight (too much or too little).
• Sleep disorders, whether too much or too little.
• Constant fatigue and loss of energy.
• Physical symptoms that may include gastrointestinal problems, chronic pain, headaches etc.
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, sadness or low of self-worth.
• Difficulty thinking, memory loss, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.

Poorly managed depression can lead to:

Suicide

Having thoughts of death and suicide are symptoms of depression. If depression is left untreated, these thoughts can get worse. 

Addiction

In most cases depression symptoms rarely go away if untreated, instead they worsen. Often, to alleviate the symptoms, people turn to self-medicating with substances. Drugs and alcohol not only worsen symptoms, but they can also increase the chances of addiction.

Health concerns

The disease can become an unhealthy cycle and one needs to take good care of themselves to feel better. Unfortunately because of the symptoms, they are unable to have a normal sleep cycle, don’t want to eat and have no interest in being physically active. 

Self-injury

To try and cope with depression some resort to self-injuring and inflict pain by cutting or burning themselves. While some people may not intend to deliberately harm themselves, the behaviours may result in serious and/or life-threatening injuries and accidental deaths.

Relationship problems

Untreated depression may have you lash out at loved ones, isolate yourself and want to be left alone. This can take a huge toll on your relationship with friends and family.

Depression is not a mood

A feeling of sadness is an integral part of depression, but they’re not the same. Sadness is just one element of depression. Depression is a mental disorder that has an overpowering effect in many aspects of a person's life. While this may be the case, it doesn’t in any way indicate that one is weak. Seek medical help if sadness continues for some time. This could indicate the development of depression.

Benefits of talking to someone

Telling someone you trust about how you’re feeling can help in many ways. Deciding who you want to talk to is an important first step to getting the help you need. You need to trust them, and feel comfortable opening up to them.

A mental health professional can help you deal with matters that affect you, it will be beneficial for your recovery as they will guide you through the process of confronting the issue at hand. 

A great advantage of talking to someone like a counsellor or psychologist, someone who’s “outside the situation” is that they don’t know your friends or your family and won’t have an opinion about how you should be living your life, but rather advise and assist you on your road to recovery.

If you’re distressed, help is available.

• SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
• 011 234 4837 (8am-8pm Mondays to Sundays).
• Suicidal emergency line 0800 567 567.
• 24hr helpline 0800 121314.
• Contact SADAG on: 011 234 4837.
• 24hr Helpline 0800 456 789.