Complications of Depression

Complications list for Depression: The list of complications that have been mentioned in various sources for Depression includes:

• Suicide
• Attempted suicide
• Bipolar disorder - 20-40% of depression cases get bipolar within 5 years; or perhaps they were actually misdiagnosed (see misdiagnosis of bipolar).

Complications of Depression: Research over the past two decades has shown that depression and heart disease are common companions and, what is worse, each can lead to the other. It appears now that depression is an important risk factor for heart disease along with high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure.¹

Depression in children and adolescents is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behaviors. This risk may rise, particularly among adolescent boys, if the depression is accompanied by conduct disorder and alcohol or other substance abuse. In 1997, suicide was the third leading cause of death in 10- to 24-year-olds. NIMH-supported researchers found that among adolescents who develop major depressive disorder, as many as 7 percent may commit suicide in the young adult years. Consequently, it is important for doctors and parents to take all threats of suicide seriously. ²

Depression can also affect the physical health in men differently from women. A new study shows that, although depression is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in both men and women, only men suffer a high death rate.³

Depression can be devastating to family relationships, friendships, and the ability to work or go to school. Many people still believe that the emotional symptoms caused by depression are "not real," and that a person should be able to shake off the symptoms. Because of these inaccurate beliefs, people with depression either may not recognize that they have a treatable disorder or may be discouraged from seeking or staying on treatment due to feelings of shame and stigma. Too often, untreated or inadequately treated depression is associated with suicide. ⁴

It has been linked to poor school performance, truancy, alcohol and drug abuse, running away, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. In the past 25 years, the rate of suicide among teenagers and young adults has increased dramatically. Suicide is often linked to depression.⁵

The attention and sleep problems depressed people of any age sometimes suffer can interfere with safe driving. So can the medicine sometimes used to treat depression. ⁶

Complications of Depression: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to complications of Depression:

• Doubts over the real cause of depression
• FDA finally acknowledges suicide risk associated with antidepressant use in children
• Long term effects of antidepressants being investigated
• Recently discovered gene defect may be the cause of some types of depression
• The UK is trying to stamp out antidepressant use in children and teenagers
• Traditional breast cancer pill no longer the best choice

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