If you’re struggling with depression, you’re in good company. More than 21 million American adults experience major depressive disorder. This makes it one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States.
At Ultimate Psychiatry, with offices in Plano, Frisco, and Prosper, Texas, triple-board-certified psychiatrist Shakil Tukdi, MD, and his team of mental health experts take a conservative, holistic, integrative approach to your mental health. Our team uses the latest evidence-based treatments to help you feel like yourself again.
We also understand that while depression affects your thoughts and feelings, when left untreated, it can also take a toll on your physical health. Here’s a look at how untreated depression can harm your overall health and how we can help.
Everyone can feel sad or depressed from time to time or in reaction to certain situations. But people with major depression have a low mood and other symptoms for at least two weeks. Some symptoms of depression include:
Not everyone experiences every symptom. Plus, the severity and frequency of the symptoms depend on many factors. In addition, symptoms can change as time passes.
Depression can affect any person, but your risk can increase due to a variety of factors, such as age, going through trauma, having certain health conditions, going through a major life change, being under stress, or having a family history of depression.
You are not either your mind or your body. You are a whole, holistic person. That means your mind and body work together, and what affects one often affects the other.
This means that although depression is a mental health disorder, there’s no doubt that it affects your physical health, too. This is especially true when the condition goes untreated.
Scientists believe an imbalance in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) and depression are linked. They believe this imbalance can affect mood, but they don’t stop there. They also believe it can affect other areas of the brain, such as those that relate to pain, sleep, memory, stress, and fear.
As a result, they believe this imbalance can cause physical symptoms to manifest, such as:
Furthermore, because depression can affect stress levels, if left untreated, depression can cause high levels of stress hormones. This can increase your risk of getting physical illnesses or making current conditions or symptoms worse.
Depression also increases your risk of abusing substances, which can trigger physical health problems. In addition, the physical symptoms of depression can also weaken your immune system. And depression often coexists with major health conditions, including:
Fortunately, treating your depression can help improve your physical health. If you have any symptoms of depression — physical or emotional — it’s important to seek professional care.
Many treatments for depression exist. The right treatment for you depends on your personal mental health needs, treatment preferences, and lifestyle factors.
Before creating a personalized depression treatment plan, your Ultimate Psychiatry provider reviews your medical and mental health histories, treatment history, and current symptoms. We also rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
Our providers generally recommend the most conservative treatments for depression first. This may include one or more of the following:
As Dr. Tukdi works with you through treatment, he makes adjustments as needed to help you function optimally and live well again.
For more information about depression or to schedule a consultation, book an appointment online or over the phone with Ultimate Psychiatry today.
