Many people have periods when they feel down, particularly after a stressful life event, such as loss of a job or death of a family member. But when someone feels so sad that it affects his everyday functioning and the feelings last more than two weeks, a more serious problem becomes evident, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. About 20 million people suffer from depression in the United States, Medline Plus indicates, and many show complications associated with depression.
Life Problems
Symptoms associated with a major depressive disorder interfere with an individual's ability to function in day-to-day life. Performance at school or work decline or, in more severe cases, the individual stops doing these activities all together. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance indicates that an individual with depression may find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Relationships often suffer as well as a consequence of depression. According to MayoClinic.com, the depressed person may have a tendency to isolate himself, cutting off potential sources of support. The person may stop talking to friends and family members. Loss of libido or interest in sex, a symptom of depression and a typical side effect of many antidepressant medications, may interfere with an intimate relationship. Sexual intimacy is an important aspect of a healthy relationship, therefore, one individual's loss of interest in sex may cause relational problems.
Type of Depression
Different complications may arise due to the type of depressive disorder present. In dysthymic disorder, the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that symptoms of depression are present for longer periods of time; two years or longer. While symptoms tend to be less severe than major depressive disorder, they may interfere with an individual's ability to function normally for a long time. The National Institute of Mental Health also states that individual's with dysthymia carry a greater risk of having more frequent episodes of a severe form of depression. In some cases of very severe depression, the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that an individual may develop a psychotic depression. In this illness the depressed person suffers a break from reality, experiencing hallucinations and delusions.
Suicide
A very significant complication of depression consists of death by suicide. People with severe depression may start to feel helpless, that they cannot do anything to make things better and hopeless, that their situation will never improve. These feelings may contribute to the development of suicidal thoughts or ideation. For some people, they begin to think more seriously of suicide, developing a plan of how they may carry it out. Any sign of suicide should be taken seriously, but if an individual begins making a plan or has a history of suicide attempts, immediate medical care should be sought. MayoClinic.com indicates that of all people who suffer with depression, older adult men carry the greatest risk for suicide. Men typically use more lethal means, such as guns, to commit suicide.
Loss of Pleasure
Anhedonic symptoms or, according to Medline Plus, the loss of interest and pleasure in activities an individual previously enjoyed, is another significant complication of depression. When someone feels down or sad, doing something fun may help alleviate the mood. For a depressed person, these activities may feel empty or not seem as fun anymore. When a person stops engaging in positive activities that make them feel good, the feelings of depression and other symptoms may become worse. MayoClinic.com recommends that individuals should work hard to continue to engage in positive activities, including physical activity, such as walking, jogging or swimming.
Other Diagnoses
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance indicates that other mental and physical illness commonly occur along with a depression. Physical illness and depression often negatively affect the other. The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that another illness may cause a depression or develop as a consequence of it. Individuals who have both depression and a medical illness tend to have more severe forms of both problems. Other problems that often co-exist with depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, include anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia; substance abuse problems, including alcohol; and medical illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.
