Depression is a serious mental illness marked by such symptoms as feelings of hopelessness, restlessness, irritability, fatigue and unintentional weight loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, depression typically starts in a person's early 20s, but it can develop at any age. There are certain negative effects of depression that necessitate immediate medical help.
Suicidal Thoughts
Suicide is a major complication of severe depressive feelings. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in people in the United States. Unfortunately, the CDC reports that more than 33,000 people in the United States end their own lives each year. Risk factors for suicide include a history of depression, a prior suicide attempt, a terminal illness and loneliness. It is important for a person to immediately see a doctor upon developing thoughts of suicide. Typically, the doctor will hospitalize the patient, and if it appears that the person is thinking about carrying out his suicidal thoughts, he will be placed on suicide watch.
Alcoholism
Alcohol serves as a form of escape from depression, as it tends to make people extremely happy despite their present circumstances. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcoholism is a chronic and potentially fatal disease in which one forms an obsession with alcohol. Common symptoms of alcoholism include drinking in secret, drinking in excessive amounts, having the need to drink and becoming intoxicated to achieve a certain feeling of normalcy or happiness. Treatment for alcoholism includes detoxification at a residential treatment center. Here, a person undergoes a detoxification and receives withdrawal treatment. The doctor will provide sedatives to quell the physical manifestations of alcohol withdrawal. The patient will receive group counseling and support with fellow alcoholics and a staff psychologist or psychiatrist. Medications such as disulfiram may be prescribed to make alcohol less appealing.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a condition in which a person feels constantly on edge. It is a normal feeling to have, especially when one is frightened. FamilyDoctor.org says that anxiety becomes a medical problem when it is persistent and the person constantly worries about a certain situations. Manifestations of anxiety include shortness of breath, accelerated heart rate, nausea, irritability, dry mouth, difficulty concentrating and trouble sleeping. Treatment for anxiety includes such simple measures as controlling one's worries, exercising and avoiding caffeine, drugs and alcohol. A doctor will sometimes prescribe an anti-anxiety medication if the patient cannot control anxiety on his own.
