My doctor recommends medication for my depression. Can I consider waiting to see if it will go away by itself?
Depression
often occurs in cycles, and if an individual waits long enough, it may in
fact remit without treatment. This may take months or longer, however.
The risks of this approach are great: a loss of productivity in school or
work, impaired relationships, family conflicts, financial problems,
delays in development in children, and most significantly, suicide.
Treatment of the depressive episode will greatly shorten its duration and
enable you to participate in the community again sooner. In addition,
research suggests that depression itself can have harmful effects on the
brain. These effects may make you more susceptible to future depressive
episodes, possibly more severe, in the future.
Untreated
depression can have harmful effects on your physical health as well.
Under stress, the body is less able to fight infection. Recovery from
some physical illnesses may be adversely affected. Problems with sleep
also impair the body's functioning, resulting in further loss of energy
and difficulties in concentrating.
Depressed
persons are at higher risk for drug and alcohol abuse, which can further
worsen depressive symptoms and result in disability and problems with the
law. Depressed persons are at risk of having problems in their
relationships and getting a divorce. They may have difficulty developing
strong attachments with their children.
Depressed
children can have problems in their social and emotional development,
making them at risk for further emotional problems in the future. Most
significantly, untreated depression may increase the risk for suicide.
Suicidal thoughts can gradually lead up to suicide attempts if the
depression does not remit and feelings of hopelessness persists.
Treatment of
depression is important for many reasons. A delay of its treatment may be
as risky as delaying treatment for a multitude of medical conditions,
such as heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
