9 Signs You Have Untreated Depression

Despite being one of the most common mental illnesses, depression still carries stigmas that exist around the world, and this can cause not only less education, but also less treatment of depression. It’s important to recognize that depression is in fact a real illness that can and should be treated.

Having depression is nothing to be ashamed of, and it doesn’t make you weak or faulty. In fact, depression that goes untreated can have some pretty detrimental mental and physical side effects. Think you may have untreated depression? Here are 9 signs to look out for.

1. Memory impairments

Research has shown interesting links between depression and memory loss, similar to the type of memory impairments that occur at the beginning of a neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is not to suggest a link between untreated depression and dementia, just that the memory loss can potentially look similar. According to a 2003 study, long-term, untreated depression is strongly associated  with volume loss in the hippocampus (Sheline et al. 2003).

What does this mean? Well, the hippocampus is a part of the brain largely involved in sustaining your memories. So volume loss in this area could mean that you have a smaller capacity for long-term memory and could start to forget more than normal. With that said, if you start to notice yourself forgetting information, ideas, and events more frequently, this may be a sign of untreated depression.

2. Substance abuse

Depression can make us more vulnerable to developing an addiction, and if the depression is untreated, the substance abuse can become even more severe. Although this sign is the most  common in teens and younger men, it can realistically happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender (WebMD).

Experts agree that addiction and depression are co-morbid, meaning that they often occur together and can impact each other. So, if you find yourself more vulnerable to substances in the wake of depression, it is so important to heal properly so that these conditions don’t feed off each other for the worse.

3. Inadequate sleep

Along with lacking enough sleep, you might actually find yourself sleeping more due to depression, because of the excessive energy it occupies. Both are sleep disturbances on opposite sides of the spectrum, and are now considered to be fundamental in diagnosing depression (Nutt et al. 2008).

A 2008 study shows that these sleep disturbances can look different for everyone and have lasting effects throughout the day. For example, many patients in the study said that they lack concentration during the day and feel lethargic (Nutt et al. 2008). While it may make more sense for these sleep-related disturbances to occur at night, remember to monitor your energy levels during the day as well–they can tell you just as much.

4. Impulsivity

Many people with untreated depression engage in out-of-character risky behaviors. According to Katherine Kam from WebMD, people with depression can turn to self-destructive behavior, not only to numb their pain, but also to publicly cry for help (Kam 2011).

While this may seem logical at the time, it actually comes with a series of negative impacts that affect both the body and mind. Physically, risky behavior can lead to harmful infection and damage throughout the body; psychologically, its numbing effect of the body can be a hindrance to coping in a healthy way (Kam 2011). Depression can bring about feelings of hopelessness and despair, but remember that no matter what, you are worthy of love and healing.

5. Appetite changes

Depression can change the way you eat. In some cases, you may overeat as a reaction to the increase in stress. In other cases, that same stress could cause you to lose your appetite quicker.

If you notice yourself eating more, less, or differently than normal, this could be an underlying sign of untreated depression. Psychologically, appetite changes and increased unhealthy cravings are types of coping mechanisms and can indicate that there may be something larger worth paying attention to.

6. Frequent migraines

Migraines and depression commonly coexist, but when depression goes untreated, the intensity of these migraines can skyrocket. The migraines run the risk of going from episodic to chronic, which means they go from happening less than 15 times a month to more (Borchard 2019).

Although the reason for this concurrence is not fully understood, it is important not to let depression go untreated so that migraines don’t develop or become worse.

7. Social isolation

Lately, have you felt a constant urge to stay under your covers all day? Does interacting with friends and family sound draining? You may be isolating yourself as a result of untreated depression.

Depression can be draining, painful, and consuming, so feeling alone and isolated is understandable. But know that you are not alone, and that there are people around you who love and care about you. Isolating yourself because of depression can actually bring about loneliness, and worsen symptoms that are already there.

Although you may develop low motivation or disinterest in everyday activities, try to lean on loved ones and those you trust if you find yourself withdrawing. It could help combat any potential loneliness that may arise.

8. Increased somatic pain

Did you know that even though depression begins in the brain, it actually takes effect all over the body? According to Therese Borchard from Psych Central, aches and pains are a common symptom of untreated depression (Borchard 2019).

In addition to aches and pains, Borchard said that fibromyalgia is commonly concurrent with depression. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is brought about by muscle pain throughout the body, and it can produce many psychological effects, similar to those of depression (Borchard 2019).

9. Gastrointestinal problems

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are a common subset of issues around the body that depression can bring about. These refer to problems like indigestion, nausea, vomiting, or any other problems in or around your stomach (Borchard 2019).

Believe it not, these actually have a scientific basis. According to a 2016 study, there is a link specifically in depression patients between GI problems and a change in depression-related stress, with the common denominator being changes in the level of cortisol, a stress hormone (Karling et al. 2016). These changes affect not only the brain, but also the body, specifically in the GI area.

We hope we were able to give you a little insight on some of the signs of untreated depression. Do any apply to you? Let us know. Thanks for reading!

References

• Borchard TJ. “8 Health Risks of Untreated Depression”. Psych Central. Depression. 05 March 2019.
• Kam K. “Depression and Risky Behavior”. WebMD. WebMD Feature. 23 June 2011.
• Karling P, Wikgren M, Adolfsson R, Norrback KF. “Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hypersuppression Is Associated with Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Major Depression”. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2016;22(2):292‐303. doi:10.5056/jnm15064.
• Nutt D, Wilson S, Paterson L. “Sleep disorders as core symptoms of depression”. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10(3):329‐336.
• Sheline YI, Gado MH, Kraemer HC. “Untreated Depression and Hippocampal Volume Loss”. Am J Psychiatry. 2003; 160:1516–1518.
• “Side Effects of Untreated Depression”. WebMD. WebMD Medical Reference. 13 November 2019.